2010 Olivier Bernstein Charmes-Chambertin Vieilles Vignes
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Tasting notes
Lively and charming – definitely fresher than his 2009s. Rich and grainy with real savoury density even if there's a hint of treacle on the finish. Pure pleasure even if finesse is not its overriding character. Still a long way to go. (JR)
Critic scores
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
Bright dark red. Reticent musky nose comes across as lower-pitched than the Cazetiers. Then smooth and supple on the palate but not yet complex, showing a dominant flavor of slightly medicinal black raspberry. This very closed wine finishes with serious chewy tannins and excellent persistence.
The 2010 Charmes-Chambertin opens with soft, subtle floral notes that lead to understated layers of blue and black fruits. The Charmes is a bit closed in on itself today, but it is a wine of significant promise. Tar, licorice and graphite wrap around the deep, satisfying finish.
The 2010 Charmes-Chambertin opens with soft, subtle floral notes that lead to understated layers of blue and black fruits. The Charmes is a bit closed in on itself today, but it is a wine of significant promise. Tar, licorice and graphite wrap around the deep, satisfying finish. Anticipated maturity: 2020-2030. Olivier Bernstein is one of the younger generation of micro-negociants who owns no vineyards, but rather sources fruit from a variety of vineyards. In just a few years Bernstein has put together an impressive collection of wines from some of the Cote d’Or’s most prestigious appellations. Bernstein describes 2010 as a vintage with a lot of millerandage (shot berries). The 2010s were vinified with 50% stems and the malos finished in July, which is fairly standard for the year. None of the 2010s had been racked at the time of my visit in late November 2011 and bottling was planned for March and April 2012. Stylistically, these are fleshy, generous wines that stand apart for their textural depth. A Becky Wasserman Selection, Le Serbet, imported by: Fine Vines LLC, Melrose Park. IL; tel. (708) 343-6702
About the producer
Olivier Bernstein is among the most successful producers in Burgundy, setting the bar high for the growing number of micro-négociants in the region by producing wines that compete with those of the Côte d’Or’s finest domaines.