Bruno Clair - Chambolle-Musigny Les Charmes 2020

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Chambolle-Musigny wine is produced in the village of Chambolle-Musigny in Côte de Nuits of Burgundy. The Appellation d'origine contrôlée (AOC) Chambolle-Musigny may only be used for red wine with Pinot noir as the main grape. There are 25 Premier Cru vineyards in Chambolle-Musigny, and two Grand Cru vineyards: Musigny and Bonnes Mares. The AOC was created in 1936.

In 2008, 152.23 hectares (376.2 acres) of vineyard surface was in production for Chambolle-Musigny at village and Premier Cru level, and 6,044 hectoliter of wine was produced, corresponding to slightly over 800,000 bottles. Within the commune, there are also vineyards (on the flatter land to the east of the N74 road) which are only entitled to the regional Bourgogne appellation.

The main grape variety is Pinot noir for red Musigny, and Chardonnay for white Musigny. The AOC regulations also allow up to 15 per cent total of Chardonnay, Pinot blanc and Pinot gris as accessory grapes in the red wine, but this not very often practiced. The allowed base yield is 40 hectoliter per hectare. The grapes must reach a maturity of at least 10.5 per cent potential alcohol for village-level wine, and 11.0 per cent for Premier Cru wine.

The wines of Chambolle-Musigny are typically described as the most "feminine" among the red wines of the Côte de Nuits, with floral elegance rather than power.

0.69ha of very old vines in Chambolle Charmes, in the upper part of the lieu-dit, downslope from Feusselottes.

Bruno Clair Description

The family history at Domaine Bruno Clair is quite complex, as is often the case in wine estates in Burgundy. Beginning in 1919 and proceeding forward Bruno represents the sixth generation of winegrowers.

From 1986 the estate comprised 17 hectares spread over the villages of Marsannay, Gevrey-Chambertin, Morey-Saint-Denis, Vosne-Romanée and Savigny-Les-Beaune. From 1990 they added parcels in Chambolle-Musigny, Aloxe-Corton, Pernand-Vergelesses, Gevrey-Chambertin, and Bonnes-Mares: acquired gradually – it had previously been rented. To date, the estate comprises 27 hectares across 8 villages, and produces 32 different appellations.

Today the whole family is involved: Edouard, their eldest son, Margaux and Arthur. Each of the children now has a specific role.

Inside Burgundy: 92-94 Points

2020 is the second vintage after getting these vines. Gorgeously perfumed much more open than the Véroilles, a crimson with a darker centre, lovely rich fruit here. Apparently it is taking time to get the vineyard into balance, but this wine shows promise.

Burghound: 91-94 Points

Vinous: 91-93 Points

The 2020 Chambolle-Musigny Les Charmes 1er Cru has another expressive, quite marine-influenced bouquet with brambly red fruit, leather and tobacco scents that gain intensity with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy red fruit, lightly spiced with an almost Gevreylike finish. Good length, classically-styled.