Denis Bachelet Charmes Chambertin Grand Cru 2020 (750ML)

98 DE / 96-98+ WA / 95-97 JM

There is an intense black plum aroma, with hints of ginger, liquorice, violets and earth. The concentration of old vines allied with the freshness brought by the Combe Grisard is a sublime combination. The texture of the wine is not heavy nor over-extracted, yet the finish lingers liltingly on the palate seemingly forever - a superb experience. There are two parcels in Aux Charmes that total 0.43ha. Bachelet notes that after three drought years the vines are suffering, yet these old vines (planted between 1907-1917) continue to make epic wine despite these challenges.--Tim Atkin MW, Decanter

There are only five barrels of the monumental 2020 Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru Vieilles Vignes, a wine Denis Bachelet is inclined to rank alongside his 2002 and 1999 as among the greatest hits of his career. Unfurling in the glass with notes of peonies, rose petals, wild berries, loamy soil, black truffle, exotic spices and blood orange, it's full-bodied, layered and multidimensional, with huge concentration, lively acids and beautifully ripe, powdery tannins. Concluding with a long and perfumed finish, it's one of the wines of the vintage.--William Kelley, The Wine Advocate

Purple colour. The Bachelet Charmes-Chambertin delivers as always a ravishingly hedonistic nose though Denis says it has closed down a bit as the weather has got colder. Such a gorgeous sumptuous fruit with just a tarry touch at the finish from the barrel, allied to the extra ripeness of the vintage. A very long finish, of course. One for the very long term. Tasted: December 2021.--Jasper Morris, Inside Burgundy