2013 Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru Domaine Perrot-Minot

Joli nez épicé avec une touche de végétal qui agrémente un fruit gourmand en attaque mais vif en finale. De petits amers sont perceptibles. La bouche délivre une matière assez juteuse, mais avec une structure fine.

A wonderfully expressive and layered nose is more complex if not quite as elegant though here too there are soft floral nuances to the red cherry, pomegranate, plum and earth scents. There is a similar sense of refinement to the slightly larger-scaled flavors that are shaped by remarkably fine-grained tannins on the precise, saline and lingering finale. This is a Charmes of finesse that embodies what I like to call power without weight. In a word, lovely.

The 2013 Charmes-Chambertin Vieilles Vignes Grand Cru, matured in 30% new wood, has a lifted bouquet with ample brambly red berry fruit, pomegranate, orange cordial and potpourri scents. Very "Charmes"! The palate is medium-bodied with fine, tensile tannins, moderate depth and precision on the linear finish that bears resemblance to the Griotte-Chambertin at the moment. I like the clarity here and the sense that is holding everything back until bottling.

Bright medium red. Sexy musky aromas of raspberry, redcurrant and dried flowers. Sweet, pliant and seductive, with terrific vinosity and pungent spice and blood orange elements giving the wine an airy, weightless impression. Christophe Perrot-Minot would not have been able to make a seductive wine like this in his early vintages, when he used much more new oak and did a considerably more extractive vinification.

A smooth, cherry- and blueberry-infused red, with ample mineral and spice accents for support. Balanced, with a cohesive structure and fine length. Best from 2018 through 2030. 175 cases made. -BS