DAMN YOU INSTAGRAM - I wrote a nice detailed post on our most recent Bachelet Charmes Chambertin dinner - it got posted and then it disappeared into the ether! Here’s some quick hits on the mini vertical of 1999, 2000, 2001, 2009 Denis Bachelet Charmes Chambertin.
- Charmes Chambertin is the forgotten grand cru. So many make it, but so few make great ones.
- Bachelet makes a great (and the best) Charmes Chambertin unlike any other.
- First fell in love with the wines back in 2008 and started to snap up all the 05/06 I could find. 06 is drinking splendid btw.
- 1999 once again shows why it’s one of the best vintages in the last 40 years. Everything is well balanced, there’s power, depth, loads of fruit and spice. Pure fruit. Extravagent aromatics on the nose. A+
-2000 showing the stable evolution of the 2000 vintage over the last decade. The fruit is still that same sweet fruit with age, everything is well integrated with sous bois and soft acidity. There’s a touch of char from the oak on the nose.
-2001 also showing the vintage. Structured and rigid but it’s softening as the fruit is quite pure and lush. The nose is elegant and lithe in contrast to the brutishness of the palate
-2009 - gob smacking loads of fruit on the wine. Everywhere. Nose. Palate. Boom boom pow fruit. The finish shows some astringent oak though.