2024 Bachelet-Monnot Santenay Les Charmes Dessus, Burgundy

More purple than ruby, with a seductive softly ripe raspberry fruit on the nose. The fruit dances on the palate with a light pepperiness and some strawberry notes, one could imagine whole bunch. Really sensual on the palate yet with a fine thread of acidity. Really lovely. Chapeau! Drink from 2027-2032. 5 Stars. 

91-93 points, Jasper Morris MW, Inside Burgundy

Brothers Marc and Alexandre Bachelet have made Bachelet-Monnot one of the most exciting domaines of the Côte de Beaune. Working from Dezize-lès-Maranges, they farm an enviable collection of vineyards with meticulous attention and a light touch in the cellar. Les Charmes comes from Santenay, at the southern end of the Côte de Beaune, where the wines combine the village’s earthy, savoury character with a lovely generosity of fruit.

The 2024 vintage was decidedly not for lazy vignerons. Cool, wet conditions and tiny yields demanded constant work, but careful growers were rewarded with fragrant wines of freshness and definition. Santenay’s clay-limestone soils give Les Charmes structure and an earthy undertow, while the Bachelet brothers’ restrained approach keeps the wine bright, supple and wonderfully expressive.

Bright ruby with crimson highlights, the nose opens with Morello cherry, raspberry and redcurrant before violet, dried thyme and orange peel appear. With air come hints of black tea, clove, forest floor and crushed stone. The palate is juicy and finely structured, with crunchy red fruit wrapped in supple tannins and lively acidity. Cherry skin, herbs and gentle spice run through the middle before a fresh, savoury finish with an appealing earthy edge.

Put this beside roast duck with lentils, pork chops with Dijon and thyme, chicken with morels, mushroom and Gruyère tart or a bubbling dish of tartiflette. Our pick is the pork chop, properly caramelised edges, mustard and buttery pan juices against juicy, earthy Santenay is precisely why Burgundy bottles have such difficulty surviving lunch.

Cellaring: Drink from 2027 to 2036.