Domaine Lignier-Michelot - Charmes-Chambertin 2014

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Charmes-Chambertin is an Appellation d'origine contrôlée (AOC) and Grand Cru vineyard for red wine in the Côte de Nuits subregion of Burgundy, with Pinot noir as the main grape variety. It is located in the southern part of the commune of Gevrey-Chambertin and on the lower hillside east of Chambertin (on the other side of the Route des Grands Crus), north of Mazoyères-Chambertin and south of Griotte-Chambertin. The AOC was created in 1937.

A View from the Cellar: 94 Points

The 2014 Charmes-Chambertin from Laurent Lignier is deeper and sappier on the nose than the Griotte, jumping from the glass in a very fine blend of red and black cherries, gamebird, woodsmoke, raw cocoa, and excellent base of soil, a touch of nutskin and a gentle framing of cedary wood. On the palate the wine is pure, full-bodied and very soil-driven in personality, but with a sappy core of fruit, suave tannins and lovely refinement on the very long, tangy and complex finish. 94+ [Inner quote mark] (11/2015

Wine Advocate: 92-94 Points

The 2014 Charmes Chambertin Grand Cru is 100% whole bunch fruit. There is a certain richness and opulence on the nose, the black cherry fruit shot through with blood orange and citrus fruit. The palate is silky smooth on the entry, satin-like in texture, so much so you might assume there is new oak here when in fact there is zilch. Seamless and sumptuous, this will be difficult to resist in its youth.

Vinous: 90-93 Points

(from tiny grapes in what Lignier described as "the last plot in Mazoyères before Charmes"; 13. 2% natural alcohol; 60% vendange entier; Lignier did just a single pigeage late in the fermentation): Deep red-ruby. Superripe but brooding aromas of cassis, blackberry, smoked meat, game, licorice and bitter chocolate. Plush, thick and sweet but with surprising definition and lift to its violet and boysenberry flavors. Not a particularly mineral style but a major mouthful of sweet, supple purple fruits. This wine has a rather high pH of 3. 7 but does not lack for energy. Lignier noted that he used to make this wine with 100% whole clusters. He farms these vines for the owner but noted that they will probably be sold before the 2016 harvest.