Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru Aux Charmes 2021 Thibault Liger-Belair | Burgundy

Domaine Thibault Liger-Belair 's Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru Aux Charmes is a rare cuvée, born of a place of transition between power and grace. At the crossroads of Gevrey's emblematic Grands Crus, the Aux Charmes parcel, which gave its name to this Grand Cru and borders the Grand Cru Mazoyères, delivers a refined interpretation of Pinot Noir. Thibault Liger-Belair works this deep, stony marl-limestone soil with the same exacting standards he applies to his other crus: biodynamic viticulture, horse-drawn ploughing, no-frills winemaking and long ageing in carefully selected barrels. The taut, luminous 2021 vintage highlights the purity of the fruit and the distinctive identity of Charmes, where the sweetness of the name contrasts with a highly structured intensity.

Philippe Mischler, sommelier at Mundovin : Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru Aux Charmes takes you by surprise. Beneath its apparent delicacy, there is a remarkable density. At first, it exudes an extremely bewitching floral and fruity gourmandise, then imposes a deeper, more serious terroir. The finesse of Les Charmes expresses vibrant sensuality with radiance and depth, with a unique texture that is both fine and fleshy.

On the nose, the wine immediately delivers elegant notes of wild strawberry and morello cherry, and above all a veritable bouquet of violet, peony and iris. As it opens, it reveals hints of cocoa and a hint of smoke. The whole is precise, imbued with grace and finesse.

On the palate, the attack is supple and caressing. The body gradually develops a deep velvetiness, marked by perfectly ripe tannins, giving this Pinot Noir a serious structure. The aroma evokes black berries, camellia and white pepper, while the saline, drawn-out finish recalls the great balance of Burgundy's finest crus. A wine for laying down, but already fascinating.