The 2010 Charmes-Chambertin is a big, big wine and easily one of the most opulent Charmes of the vintage. Layers of intense blue and black fruit wrap around the palate as the wine opens up in the glass. Despite the richness of the fruit, the silkiness and finesse of the tannins comes through beautifully. The Charmes fills out in all directions as it totally conquers the palate and the senses with its sensual personality. The Charmes is two-thirds true Charmes and one-third Mazoyeres. This is a great showing. Anticipated maturity: 2025-2045. Bernard Dugat began picking on September 21. The harvest took place over 6 days and yields came in at less than 25 hectoliters per hectare. Dugat told me that worked out to about 105 barrels for 10.5 hectares of vineyards! The malos proceeded at a very slow pace and the wines weren’t racked until September, except for the Mazoyeres, which had not yet been racked at the time of my November visit. Most of the wines were made with a high percentage of stems, as noted below. Importer: The Sorting Table, LLC, 1700 Second Street Suite 380 Napa, CA 94559 ; tel: 707-603-1466

100% new oak. Contains one-third Mazoyères since 1996. 40% whole bunch. Quel couleur! Lots of vegetation in here. Interesting aromatic plants – though something more energetic than flowers. Medical herbs?! Very fine tannins. Lots of juice and matière . Dry finish for the moment. Persistent. Lots of effort in here. (JR)