1998 Charmes Chambertin Vieilles Vignes
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The 1998 Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru has always shown well in what was a tricky vintage. Here there is a mixture of red and black fruit intermingling with intriguing aromas of Italian mortadella and later, wilted rose petals. The palate displays admirable weight and concentration, quite tensile and linear with that sense of weightlessness on the finish that I have observed previously. Not as long term as the 1999, but it deserves a round of applause. Tasted at The Ledbury in London.
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Neal Martin
Neal Martin, Wine Advocate
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Tasted at the Denis Bachelet dinner at Quality Chop House. The Charmes-Chambertin 1998 has a precocious bouquet that opens with abandon: vibrant red and black fruit, cooked meats (Italian deli!) with wilted petals. It's almost a little smudged when compared to the 2002. The palate is very well-balanced with impressive weight. It feels structured and yet there is a sense of weightlessness on the finish that completely wins you over. This is just beautiful. I'd actually drink this now because it's at its peak. On the other hand, I have little doubt that it will age over the long-term.