2016 Charmes Chambertin
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Tasting notes
The 2016 Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru is superb, bursting from the glass with expressive aromas of Morello cherry and raspberries that mingle with touches of licorice and rich soil. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, ample and expansive, with a deep core of fruit that cloaks its rich structuring tannins and a long, succulent finish. While the wine displays all the exuberant breadth that's so typical of this cuvée, the cooler vintage lends it a sense of coiled energy that warmer years miss, and I suspect this will develop especially well in bottle.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
(some frost here reduced the crop by 20%; two-thirds Charmes and one-third Mazoyères; vinified with 50% whole clusters): A sexy note of reduction to the aromas of blackberry, mocha, espresso, animal fur and violet. Thick and densely packed but fine-grained--and hard to taste owing to the strong element of reduction. A bit stunted and sauvage today but the wine's ripe, dusty tannins spread out horizontally to saturate the palate. This is reduced straight through to the finish, but its impressive concentration and late-arriving minerality are quite promising. Today I prefer the Lavaux for its class but I may be underestimating this wine.
Contains one-third Mayozères since 1996. 60% whole bunch. 100% new oak. Lost 20% to frost. Very juicy indeed, and concentrated. No easy charm but hard-won through great density and precision. Solid with a dramatic undertow. Clean finish. (JR)
About the producer
Dugat-Py, based at the base of the Combe de Lavaux in Gevrey-Chambertin, stands as one of Burgundy’s most revered producers, known for crafting Pinot Noir of incredible depth, power, and age-worthiness.