2007 Denis Bachelet, Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru V.V. 1x75cl

John Gilman – 95+

Denis Bachelet’s 2007 Charmes-Chambertin is a great wine in the making, but give it at least another six or seven years in the cellar to really start to come into its own. The deep, primary and extremely promising nose offers up a lovely mix of black cherries, cassis, grilled meats, espresso, a very complex base of dark soil tones and smoky new oak. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied, long and still very primary in personality, with a rock solid core of fruit, moderate tannins, fine focus and grip and a very, very long, well-balanced and superb finish. [01/02/2014]

Anticipated maturity: 2020-2050

Jasper Morris – 91

Medium deep colour beginning to turn, the bouquet is beginning to open out very nicely, very gentle and graceful. The oak is quite prominent but the intensity of the fruit wins out. Approachable soon but doubtless can be kept. [01/11/2013]

Vinous – 93

Good deep red-ruby. Wild, fully ripe nose combines black cherry, violet and game. Wonderfully sweet and lush in the mouth, conveying an impression of lower acidity than the Corbeaux and village example. This is deceptively pliant, complex and open today but it’s hard to believe it won’t evolve positively in bottle for a decade or more. Finishes juicy, sweet and very long, with an intriguing savory, smoky minerality. This rocky soil really retains heat at night, says Bachelet, which is why the wine often possesses relatively low acidity. [Stephen Tanzer, 03/01/2010]

Burghound – 91-94

(Don’t miss!) There is also a trace of reduction but it’s so mild that the expressiveness of the sexy plum, violet and black and blue pinot fruit is not compromised. The big-bodied, round and delicious flavors seem more forward than they really are because like the Corbeaux this positively exudes dry extract which pushes the firm tannins to the background as the superbly well balanced finish both stains and coats the palate on the finale. Terrific potential here and Bachelet almost never misses anymore with this wine. [01/01/2009]