Olivier Bernstein

Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru — 2013

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  • Vineyard Profile

    • The topsoil in Charmes has a high iron content and a large proportion of limestone pebbles,indicating the proximity of the mother rock which has a high active-chalk component. The Mazoyères portion of the vineyard area boasts a topsoil that is lighter in color and texture but with greater depth.

    • Vineyards: Charmes-Chambertin and Mazoyères-Chambertin
    • Cultivation: Lutte raisonnée (“reasoned protection”)
    • Viticulture: Two green harvests during the summer; sustainably farmed
    • Size: 30.83 ha (76 acres)
    • Elevation: 250 meters (820 feet)
    • Exposure: Eastern/southeastern
    • Density: 10,000 vines/ha
  • Vintage Report

    • The 2013 winter was mild and humid. Budbreak took place later than usual, at the beginning of May. Spring began rather cold and rainy, especially in May. In all our plots, we were careful to have good grass presence in order to absorb water. Flowering was especially long because of low temperatures, beginning mid-June and ended in early July. Thanks to a nice summer, veraison took place in optimal conditions. The Burgundy harvest in 2013 began a month later than in 2011 and two and half weeks later than in 2012. We started on September 28 with Mazis-Chambertin (one of our oldest vines). Thanks to a wonderful and dry month of September, the sanitary state of the vines was good. We harvested beautiful grapes in our premier and grand crus from Côte de Nuits. Fortunately we finished just before the heavy rains that started around October 10.

    • Harvest Date(s): September 28-October 6
    • Average Yields: 30 hl/ha (2.22 tons/acre)
  • Vinification

    • Fermentation: No heating, only temperature control to avoid the temperature rising above 31 C (87 F); 50% whole cluster; indigenous yeast
    • Maceration: 5-7 days cold maceration; total maceration of 20-22 days
    • Malolactic: 100%
    • Barrel Aging: 16 months in 100% new oak from the forests of Jupiles and Fontainebleau
    • Coopers: Stéphane Chassin
    • Filtration: None
  • Technical Information

    • Varietal Composition: 100% Pinot Noir
    • Production (in cases): 300 cases
    • Production Case Pack: 6/750ml
    • Alcohol: 13%
    • Optimum Drinking: 2018-2040
  • Tasting Notes

    • If it is not the most ambitious of the Grands Crus, it fascinates me nonetheless by its elegance and its immediate balance. It delivers immense pleasure thanks to its suppleness, its expression of little red fruits and the silkiness of its tannins.

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Reviews

  • Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru – 2013 – 91-93 points – Burghound.com

    "... red and dark currant aromas that are liberally laced with notes of earth, game and wood nuances. There is fine power … flavors that possess an unusually refined mouth feel, all wrapped in a dusty, complex and impressively persistent finish ..."

  • Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru – 2013 – 17 points – JancisRobinson.com

    "Deep ruby. Autumnal nose. Then sweet and charming ..."

  • Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru – 2013 – 94 points – Wine Spectator

    "Smoky black cherry and plum flavors ply the rich texture in this open yet succulent red. Tobacco and spice accents add to the lingering finish ..."

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