Les Cras Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Pinot Noir

Barthod needs age, and ‘06 Les Cras, one of my favorite sites in Burgundy, is showing beautifully tonight after some air, not at all clunky like the vintage can sometimes be, but instead showing both richness and elegance, focus and complexity, and at the perfect intersection of primary and secondary character. A terrific 2006.

Outstanding fresh young from Les Cras…complex wine already, fresh/tart fruit, oak, mint, pine needle, mushrooms….long finish…

All smiles in the exposition, but the climax some two hours in was truly breathtaking. It was all mineral, mineral, mineral - the undeniable theme of this tale! So much so that it even permeated the nose, with chalky aromas mingled in with notes of cherries, strawberries, roses, and spices, incense almost. And the palate, oh the palate - just brimming with limestone energy. It’s hard to believe there’s just fruit in the bottle. The chalky, saline flavours and the grainy tannins made the rock almost palpable in the glass. Ah, such persistent minerality. Most definitely the best showing in the evening, but could potentially be legendary with time.

Quite a dense Ruby in colour. A lovely red fruited Chambolle perfume. That ripe sweet fruit translates on to the palate - such purity. Georgie thought it was quite grippy. Even though Alex Hunt’s window goes from 2018 to 2024 it seems likely to extend further than that. I had the 2015 of this Cuvée by mistake a couple of months ago. That one will go for another decade at least.

A bright Ruby red in colour. Red florals, touch of violet with red cherry and notes of compost heap. A dusty component to the nose Barb thought. Not as much perfume as I was expecting in a Premier Cru Chambolle. Medium bodied and latent. More mineral, dusty and earthy than a new world Pinot Noir. A perfect match with Duck a l’Orange. One of the 1001 wines. This was a major stuff up. I meant to drink the 2013 and picked the 2015 by mistake which is nowhere near ready.

One of the most underrated Chambolle. Well made! 2017 not as good as 2015 and 2016

Sappy cherries, blood orange, floral, spicy, bit of woodsmoke. Fruit is in a darker register than I was expecting. Give it a bit more time maybe or some air, serve with something grilled or roasted.

Les Cras of Barthod is to die for. Tight structure but lots of potentials. Acidity makes it so lively and beautiful. Their best wine for sure.

Laid back raspberry Fruit persists. Spicy and elegant. This is the kind of CM that made me fall in love with Burgundy

Excellent effort from Barthod.