Jancis Robinson (18.5)

Cask sample. Quite a price! Transparent crimson. Very dense nose with more layers than most of the 2018 red burgundies I have tasted so far. Pretty rich with grand cru density. Very well done. Actually the best Clos des Epeneaux I remember tasting en primeur. Long, rich, opulent but all in a convincing structure. Very long in fact.

Vinous (95)

The 2019 Pommard Clos des Epeneaux 1er Cru was bottled in June and July ‘21. Very perfumed and floral scents on the nose, dark cherries, bergamot, damp earth and touches of clove, later hints of violet and blood orange (traits that I observed out of barrel). This is nicely detailed. The palate is medium-bodied with succulent tannins, fine acidity, lightly spiced with a classy espresso-tinged finish that lingers in the mouth. Excellent.

Decanter (96)

The final blend of this is superb, including both the energy of the young vines and the density of the old. They deliver a lush, spicy fruit with a strong mineral underpinning, a dense texture, firm but supple tannins and an infinitely rewarding finish. The Clos des Epeneaux is produced from a monopole of 5.23ha located at the juncture of Grands Epenots (20%) and Petits Epenots (80%). The clos is divided by regisseur Paul Zinetti into four main subdivisions by age of vine and underlying soils which are farmed and vinified separately.

Vinous (91-93)

The 2021 Pommard Clos des Epeneaux 1er Cru, the crown jewel of the Domaine, has an intense nose with black cherries, raspberry coulis, white pepper and bay leaf. Lovely definition with a subtle briny note that emerges with time. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy red fruit, a firm grip and moderate weight, though it is missing some amplitude towards the finish due to the severely reduced volume. Yet it has plenty of freshness and length, so afford it five to six years in the cellar.

Tim Atkin MW (95)

The de Vogü  Amoureuses vines are the first ones on the right as you arrive from Vougeot. They suffer from virus and now are under a replanting program with the domaine's new winemaker, Jean Lupatelli. (The 2020 wines were made by Fran ois Millet.) Despite the state of the vineyard, there is excellent energy here with the lick of limestone texture countered by smooth tannins and a sweet fruit core. Strawberries, pomegranate seeds and warm earth lead into the strong finish. 2025-38

Vinous (88-90)

The 2018 Chambolle-Musigny Village, matured in 30% new oak, has a generous bouquet of red berry fruit, plus touches of brown spice and light loamy aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins and lightly spiced red berry fruit mixed with white pepper and sage, dovetailing into a slightly compact but fresh finish. Fine.

Jancis Robinson (17+)

Full bottle all of 1,405 g. 95% Sémillon, 4% Sauvignon Blanc, 1% Muscadelle. Cask sample. 18 months in oak envisaged. No information on yield. Greenish hint to the golden hue. Very classic with a botrytis note and some real freshness. Weight and integrity here with a savoury, even bacon-fat, finish. Not one of the sweetest wines, or what I probably mean is that the acidity is more pronounced than in many of its peers. Sleek and fresh. But probably for relatively early drinking. 13.5% Drink 2024 – 2038

A harmonious symphony of opulence and finesse, the David Duband Chambolle Musigny 2019 is the culmination of meticulous craftsmanship from renowned French winemaker, David Duband. Exquisitely hailing from his estate in the heart of Burgundy's Chambolle-Musigny village, this wine is a testament to sustained tradition and dedicated viticulture. Each grape was handpicked from this famed appellation before undergoing rigorous selection and gentle destemming, a technique employed by only the most discerning of vignerons.

The wine exudes a pristine ruby hue and reveals an exquisite bouquet of wild berries and violets, underpinned with a subtle hint of oak. On the palate, its opulence is eloquently balanced with a fine line of acidity, unveiling a depth of intricate texture and jubilant fruit flavours. The David Duband Chambolle Musigny 2019 offers a testament to the mastery of its eponymous creator, expertly capturing the quintessence of its prestigious terroir.

As an acclaimed French winemaker, David Duband casts a spell with his rendition of the Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Sentiers 2020, a quintessentially 'Burgundian' Pinot Noir. This elegant wine hails from Chambolle-Musigny, a highly reputed French appellation where winemaking has rich historic lineage. Meticulous vine management using biodynamic principles and the tinder care the Sentiers vineyard is given result in a wine marked with finesse and structure.

The David Duband Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Sentiers 2020 exhibits vibrant aromas of dark cherry, violet, and damp earth, underpinned by an enchanting minerality. Defined by its refined palate, this wine is a harmonious balance of intense fruit, silky tannins, and a lingering finish. David Duband's talent for harnessing the terroir's unique character is evident in each bottle, promising an extraordinary journey into the heart of Burgundy enjoyment. Due to its limited production, each bottle is a prized possession for any discerning wine enthusiast.

Vinous (93-96)

Bachelet's 2013 Charmes-Chambertin is striking. Translucent and pulsating in the glass, the 2013 possesses notable energy and fabulous overall balance. Dark red cherry, violet, leather and smoke gradually unfurl in a mysterious, beguiling Charmes that will provide fabulous drinking for many years.

Jancis Robinson (16)

Deep cherry; less typically Chambolle than some, quite meaty actually. Floral later.

Burghound (88-91)

There is just reduction present to blur the nuances of the underlying fruit. More interesting are the very fresh and super-sleek middleweight flavors that possess fine intensity while exhibiting ample minerality on the lingering and youthfully austere finale. This is a Chambolle of contrasts as the lacy mid-palate is markedly different from the borderline rustic finale

Vinous (95-97)

The 2019 Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru has an airy and generous bouquet with lifted black fruit, hoisin and light roasted chestnut aromas, all well defined. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, a beautiful line of acidity, svelte and harmonious with a slightly grainy-textured finish. I adore the discrete crescendo in this Grand Cru and the unimposing but long aftertaste. "It’s been growing in stature over the last 10 to 15 years," remarked Alex Seysses. Proof of that is evident by tasting this superb Charmes-Chambertin.

Decanter (97)

Sourced from what Burgundians often call 'Charmes-Charmes' to distinguish it from the Mazoyères part of this extensive Grand Cru, this cuvée uses fruit from five different parcels, all but one of which is 40 years' old. Floral and intense, with 20% whole bunches adding some freshness and spice, this is a serious, well-upholstered Pinot Noir showing fine tannins and appealingly understated oak.

Vinous (96+)

The 2019 Chambertin Grand Cru, under the négoce label, is a debut release from just 500 square meters of ancient vine acquired from a distant relative of the family; Pierre Duroché manages the vineyard and harvests the crop. This is aged in one new 150-liter barrel. It has a really entrancing bouquet that soars from the glass, offering pure red cherries, crushed strawberry, minerals and rose petals. The palate is medium-bodied with supple, filigreed tannins. There is an unerring symmetry about this Chambertin, which is one of the best you will find in 2019. The persistence is astounding, though that is partially driven by the new wood. This will be fascinating to taste in bottle.

Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (91-94)

80 year old vines in deeper soil just below Rugiens, with deep roots which make it consistent each year. Avoided the frost. 30% whole bunch, three new barrels out of ten. A fine mid purple with some depth of fruit. The stems have done their job of lifting the bouquet, this is rather delightful, too much fruit to be called floral but there are some roses in the background too. A little firmer on the palate, and a fresh acidity to finish. Promising. Drink from 2027-2034.

Jeb Dunnuck (96-99)

From a miniscule one-hectare parcel right across from Clinet, on the upper plateau of Pomerol, the 2018 Enclos Tourmaline is a blockbuster in the making, and I suspect it’s going to give the 2016 a run for its money. Checking in as a 100% Merlot raised in new oak, which hit 14.7% natural alcohol, this inky color blockbuster boasts a massive bouquet of black fruits, smoke herbs, chocolate, and damp earth. It shows a more floral edge with time in the glass and it’s full-bodied, concentrated, and plush on the palate, with sweet tannins. It’s certainly one of the sexiest wines in this terrific vintage. Hats off to vineyard manager and winemaker Jérôme Aguirre as well as consultant Michel Rolland for another brilliant wine in the making. Tasted twice.

Jeb Dunnuck (95-98)

There's not much of the 2019 Enclos Tourmaline made, but it's a sensational wine in the making. Coming from a tiny one-hectare parcel next to Clinet, this inky purple-hued effort offers a wonderfully complex, vibrant bouquet of black raspberries, crème de cassis, licorice, toasted spices, and classy oak. Full-bodied, pure, and elegant, yet powerful on the palate, it has good acidity, remarkable purity (there's no overripeness here), sound underlying structure, and a great finish. It’s another brilliant, heavenly Pomerol from 2019.

Super precision on the nose, charming bright red and black fruits and that characteristic deftness of flavour from Chambolle-Musigny. An elegance on the palate, the tannins, acidity and alcohol all in perfect balance and bright, seductive notes of cranberry, redcurrant, touches of violets and soft subtle spices from the oak, with a line of minerality running through.

Jancis Robinson (17.5)

Barrel sample. Mid crimson. Less sweet-smelling than the Clos de Vougeot, with plenty of open, dark-red fruit and also a light herbal note, which lifts it and adds freshness. Firm and dry on the palate, dry yet elegant, the fruit filling out the core. Chalk-fine texture. A little constrained at the moment.

Wine Advocate (93-95)

Aromas of cassis, orange rind, smoked meats and loamy soil introduce Faiveley's 2019 Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru, a medium to full-bodied, layered and demonstrative wine that's concentrated and succulent, with an ample core of ripe fruit framed by velvety tannins and lively acids. This is another especially fine cuvée this year.

Burghound (91-93)

A ripe and brooding nose offers up notes of both red and dark currant, raspberry and a really lovely array of floral elements. The mouthfeel of the medium-bodied flavors is at once finer and more delineated though notably less concentrated and powerful while the lingering and equally firmly structured finish possesses a different texture as the 100% whole cluster vinification is more obvious. Good stuff here as well in a built-to-age style.

Vinous (93-95)

The 2020 Chambolle-Musigny Les Carrières 1er Cru, which contains 100% whole bunch, has a vivacious bouquet with a mixture of red and black fruit, a light tobacco scent emerging with time, then pressed rose petals/white flowers. The palate is underpinned by fine tannins, taut and fresh with wonderful salinity and tension on the finish. Superb.

Burghound (91-93)

An airy and perfumed nose features notes of spice, red currant and a lovely array of floral nuances. There is excellent vibrancy to the solidly concentrated and unusually powerful medium-bodied flavors that are also quite compact on the lingering and balanced finale. Once again, this is firmly austere and a wine that will need at least half a dozen years of keeping first.

Wine Advocate (92+)

Another of the highlights of the range is the 2017 Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Combottes, a lovely wine that wafts from the glass with aromas of sweet wild berries, cherries, potpourri and a generous application of toasty new oak that will settle down with a bit of bottle age. On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied, velvety and nicely concentrated, structured around rich, powdery tannins and lively acids, concluding with good length on the finish.

Vinous (92-94)

The 2020 Chambolle-Musigny Aux Combottes 1er Cru has a lovely bouquet with wilted rose petals infusing the lively red fruit, the 60% whole bunch lending a soupçon of pepperiness. The palate is medium-bodied with fine grain tannins, taut and fresh with a gentle grip on the graphite-tinged, linear finish. Quite strict! Give this 4-5 years in the cellar.