2018 Camille Giroud Charmes Chambertin Grand Cru, Clos de Nuits

The 2018 Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru is 100% whole cluster and matured in 30% new oak. Maybe here the whole cluster is too vocal on the nose, where it occludes the terroir expression and the fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins and fine acidity, but does not quite kick on in the same manner as the superior Clos de la Roche. Attractive, but not profound.

 91-93 points Neal Martin vinous.com

Whole cluster, bought in grapes, along the route des grands crus. Lighter purple-black, the whole bunches lift otherwise very ripe fruit. However the finish is a delight with a magnificent sweet black cherry fruit and some riper red fruit notes too, plus the persistence. Just over 13.5%

93-96 points Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy

This too enjoys an intensely floral-suffused nose that includes notes of red and dark raspberry and appealing spice wisps. The finer but not denser middle weight flavors possess both good verve and delineation long with an attractively textured finish that offers notably better depth and persistence.

90-93 points Allen Meadows burghound.com

From one of Gevrey Chambertin’s most seductive Grand Cru climats, this Charmes Chambertin shows the more sensual, aromatic side of the appellation while retaining true Grand Cru authority. Camille Giroud is renowned for traditional élevage and long cellar ageing, producing wines built for complexity and graceful evolution. Charmes Chambertin sits on limestone and marl soils that favour perfume, finesse and layered texture, giving a style that is often more immediately expressive than some of its more muscular neighbours, yet still capable of long ageing. The Giroud approach allows this vineyard’s natural charm and depth to shine without excess extraction or overt oak.

The colour is a deep ruby garnet with impressive clarity and concentration. Aromas are beautifully layered, offering black cherry, raspberry and wild strawberry, followed by rose petal, baking spice, forest floor and a subtle mineral edge. The palate is supple yet structured, with generous red and dark fruit, fine grained tannins and a vibrant acid spine that gives lift and length. There is a silky, flowing texture through the mid palate, finishing with savoury nuance and gentle earthiness that mark it clearly as Grand Cru.

Exceptional with roast duck, veal, beef bourguignon, truffle dishes and aged Comté. While approachable with extended decanting, it is built to cellar for twenty to thirty years, developing greater complexity, sous bois and spice over time.