2018 Taupenot-Merme Charmes Chambertin

Not one of the deepest colours, but lively, with a fresh bouquet, strawberry and roses. But no whole bunch. Prettily ripe, quite softly rounded in character, all in red fruit, not so much structure at the back, fair length. 91-95 points

The 2018 Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru has an expressive bouquet of red berry fruit laced with licorice and touches of black pepper; there is good intensity here. The palate is medium-bodied with a grainy texture and quite savory in style. The sturdy, Mazoyères-like finish lingers in the mouth. This is a classy offering and it should give two decades of drinking pleasure. 92-94 points

In contrast to the flashy Rognet, the 2018 Charmes-Chambertin from the domaine seems to straddle the great ripeness divide of the vintage and land up more in the classical side of the ledger, with more precision, less power and a touch more promise for the long haul as a result. The bouquet is very nicely red fruity this year, jumping from the glass in a complex mix of strawberries, red and black cherries, mustard seed, incipient notes of forest floor, coffee and spicy oak. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied and quite suave on the attack, with a plush core, sound soil signature, fine-grained tannins and a long, tangy and nicely balanced finish. This is ripe, but does not get into the realm of sur maturité in any manner at the present time and has a very good future ahead of it. Drink 2030-2075+. 93 points

A softly mentholated nose speaks of black raspberry, spice, freshly turned earth and a hint of humus. The lavishly rich and opulent medium weight plus flavors possess a caressing yet powerful mouthfeel, all wrapped in a very firm, youthfully austere and ever-so-slightly warm finale. This is definitely built-to-age and while it should drink well after only 7 or so years, it`s constructed to age slowly over the longer-term. 90-93 points

Not giving too much aromatically, a little backward at the moment. The palate shows good layers of fruit and rounded firm tannins, the oak is still integrating and it is a little introverted right now. Yet in 5–7 years this should come together, lots to admire. 17++ points