2009 Charmes Chambertin

The 2009 Charmes-Chambertin, from vineyards in Mazoyeres, is intense, round and decidedly opulent. Here the fruit shows tremendous material and sheer density from start to finish. Anticipated maturity: 2019-2029. Philippe Pacalet is among the winemakers who compare 2009 to 1959. Pacalet works exclusively with leased vineyards across a number of appellations. Biodynamic farming and non-interventionalist winemaking are the rule. The village level wines were all bottled in December, 2010. I tasted the rest of the 2009s from barrel. I also had a chance to sample a selection of 2008s. Based on the wines I tasted, 2008 looks like a very interesting vintage here as well. Importer: Louis/Dressner Selections, New York, NY; tel. (212) 334 8191

(from Mazoyeres; 14% alcohol-"always the highest," according to Pacalet) Good full red. Flowers, licorice, pepper and exotic spices on the nose. Creamy-sweet but with good lift to the middle palate; hints of fresh fig and mocha along with a continuing exotic spice quality. Solid tannic structure contributes to the impression of energy and intensity without heaviness.

The 2009 Charmes-Chambertin, from vineyards in Mazoyeres, is intense, round and decidedly opulent. Here the fruit shows tremendous material and sheer density from start to finish. Anticipated maturity: 2019-2029. ||Philippe Pacalet is among the winemakers who compare 2009 to 1959. Pacalet works exclusively with leased vineyards across a number of appellations. Biodynamic farming and non-interventionalist winemaking are the rule. The village level wines were all bottled in December, 2010. I tasted the rest of the 2009s from barrel. I also had a chance to sample a selection of 2008s. Based on the wines I tasted, 2008 looks like a very interesting vintage here as well. Wine Advocate.May, 2011