The 2013 Charmes-Chambertin stands out for its intense minerality and energy. Crushed rocks, sage, chalk, spice and dark red stone fruits open up in a deep, powerful Burgundy endowed with notable class. It's pretty clear the 2013 is showing just a bare hint of its potential today. Still, from time to time, the wine's pedigree comes through loud and clear. Bernstein's Charmes is a blend of 60% true Charmes and 40% Mazoyères.

(a 50/50 blend of true Charmes and Mazoyères): Bright, deep red. Distinctly blacker on the nose than the Cazetiers, offering scents of blackberry, violet, chocolate and espresso. Dense, silky and sweet, with lovely energy and underlying minerality to its juicy dark berry flavors. The dusty tannins saturate the plate without introducing any impression of dryness. For a grand cru, this should give pleasure relatively early.

Deep ruby. Autumnal nose. Then sweet and charming even if there is a slight hole in the mid palate. A grand cru for those who don’t care too much how it tastes? (JR)