Cuvée de Très Vieilles Vignes Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru Pinot Noir

When you see “Trés Vieilles Vignes” scripted across the top of the bottle, you gotta wonder how old is “very old”. Welp…how about 120+ years. Easily some of the oldest in Burgundy. Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of an hour. The 2016 Charmes-Chambertin “Trés Vieilles Vignes” pours a deep ruby color with a transparent core; medium viscosity with light staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe and tart; red and black fruits: Marionberries, pomegranate, bruised strawberry, roses, sous bois, mushrooms, and fine warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. This is the kind of experience you want in Grand Cru burgundy. There’s so much concentration and balance. A brilliant wine. Drink now through 2046+.

Scarlet tawny color, with a high-pitched fruit forward nose. Notes of raspberries, rhubarb and strawberries. Some mint? Not really "mean greenies". Has a youthfulness to it but is round in the mouth. Packs a wallop. Pretty good for the vintage.

Wow. This is deep and soulful. Great blue fruit. Blood, inky dark stuff. Really pure and defined. Forest 05 of this caliber I’ve had that this open. Gorgeous

Intense cherry and dark plum on the nose. Noticeable oak. Gorgeous purity and intensity. Pretty and floral. Long. I wonder if this oak will dissipate more over time?

An intense perfumed nose with strawberry, dark plum, almost menthol. On the edges floral notes of violet and licorice. On the palate dense and pure. Quite masculine and brooding still with an inky, saline ferrous quality. Quite a wine with plenty more in tow. Very good.

Dark tawny and almost opaque. Bing cherry nose. Also notes of dark moist soil, menthol, raspberries and rhubarb, Asian spice and more ripe bing cherries. Delicate fruit and softened tannins, (not what I was expecting from a 97, in a good way). Very pleasant mouth feel. Gets a bit candied with more air. Outperformed my expectations.

Magnum. Lovely

Deep floral and spicy nose. Black and red concentrated fruit covers a thin layer of earth. In the early innings of complexity.

Brooding dark fruits and with a Smokey, meaty Syrah-like iron thing happening. Opened up well after a decant but I’m guessing will really show the class of it after 10 years in the cellar

This comes from some of the oldest vines in Burgundy, and in SC’s words, “from unmatched genetic quality”. It really shows - the concentration here was just incredible, with velvety textures that just caressed the palate, and length unending. Frankly, it’s not the easiest drink at this stage but I can’t deny how impressive it was. Still unyielding despite being opened nearly 12 hours before dinner then decanted. Intensely dark fruited with obvious wood. Most on the table even commented that it drank like an elegant Bordeaux. Destined for greatness, but may well outlive us all.