Charmes Chambertin, Domaine Perrot-Minot 2015

The 2015 Charmes Chambertin Vieilles Vignes has a complex nose that demanded more coaxing from the glass compared to the domaine's other 2015s. It almost reluctantly unfolds (unusual for this grand cru) with scents of crushed rose petals, oyster shell, dark cherry and a hint of bergamot. The definition is very fine, but you can tell that it will remain closed for a period after bottling. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, a structured and more masculine Charmes-Chambertin than I expected, yet with ample depth and tight grip on the finish. I would have just preferred more persistence in the mouth, but that may develop with bottle age. One to watch...

**Note: from a 1.5 ha parcel situated directly across from Domaine Rousseau's parcel of Chambertin**
Here there is no reduction as the admirably pure, elegant and spice-suffused nose offers up a beautiful array of various red berries along with hints of earth and violets. There is a highly seductive texture to the dense, mouth coating and extract-rich flavors that deliver excellent length on the mildly austere and tension-filled finale.