Charmes Chambertin, Cote de Nuits, Joseph Drouhin 2019

Grape Variety :

Pinot Noir.

Vineyard

Site: the Grand Cru vineyard of Charmes is located below Chambertin, next to Griotte-Chambertin.

History & tradition: were there "charmes" (beech trees) growing here at one time? Or were people just referring to the characteristics of the wine? A 19th Century official document does mention the "untilled land of charmes"...

Soil: outcroppings of limestone with thin topsoil; rocky soil with some marl.

Viticulture

Plantation density: 10,000 vinestocks/ha in order to extract as much as possible from the terroir and limit the production of each vine stock.

Pruning: Guyot.

Yield: 38 hl/ha - purposely low, in order for the grapes to reveal every nuance of the terroir.

Grape Supply: grapes and wines provided by regular supply partners.

Vinification

Maceration:

• maceration and vinification take 2 to 3 weeks
• indigenous yeasts
• maceration and fermentation temperatures under total control.

Joseph Drouhin seeks total control of the process of extraction; extraction gives colour and substance but should never be detrimental to the finesse and typical character of the wine.

Ageing

Type: in barrels (20% in new oak).

Length: 14 to 18 months.

Origin of the wood: French oak forests.

Weathering of the wood: Joseph Drouhin insists on total control of the weathering for a period of 3 years, one of the contributing elements to the elegance of the wine.

Throughout the ageing process, decisions are taken only after careful tasting evaluation, barrel by barrel. The data obtained is then completed through technical analysis. As with every other Joseph Drouhin wine, absolute priority is given to the true expression of terroir and character of the vintage.

Tasting note by Véronique Boss-Drouhin

"A generous and distinctive wine, often superb. The colour is intense and bright. On the nose, the first impression that arises is that of cherry. Then, woody and fine spicy aromas appear, with an elegant hint of musk in some vintages. The flavours are extraordinary in their richness and harmony, neither too rough nor too heavy. The architecture of the wine is held up by fine and noble tannins, giving the body a silky texture (called "gras"). Acidity brings energy and liveliness to the whole. The aftertaste is a pure delight".

Vintage

The wines display bright red shades with a nice evolution over a delicate tannic structure. They are elegant without too much strength.

Serving

Temperature: 16°C (61-62°F).

Cellaring: 5 to 20 years.