2011 Claude Dugat Charmes Chambertin

Pro Reviews

Vinous Media (VM)

Good bright, dark red. Pure but subdued nose hints at black cherry and licorice. Juicy, intense and imploded, suggesting very pure dark fruits and salty minerals but coming across as rather clenched today. Most impressive on the rising, almost peppery finish, which stains the palate with flavor and stimulates the salivary glands.

Wine Advocate (WA)

Moving on to the trio of Claude Dugat’s Grand Crus, the 2011 Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru has a quintessential “Charmes” bouquet with vivacious scents of dark cherry, blueberry and quince, suffused with an almost sorbet-like freshness. The palate is medium-bodied with a slightly sinewy entry. It coalesces in the second half and displays very fine, supple tannins with plenty of juicy Pinot fruit just cloaked under the 100% new oak at the moment, although everything is balanced and in sync. I would afford this three or four years in bottle for it to fully integrate. Drink 2016-2025.

Claude Dugat guided me through his 2011s on a blissful July morning, the flowers in such bloom that at one point he questioned whether I was wearing any scent. For the record, I have never worn aftershave in my life. Claude’s wines are deftly made, occasionally lifted by the new oak to the extent where I feel less would be more, but still highly enjoyable.

Burghound (BH)

The always understated Claude Dugat describes 2011 as having had an “average growing season with a few challenges but nothing that wasn’t manageable. We began picking on the 1st of September as the fruit was ripe and I didn’t think that there was anything to be gained by waiting further. There was some sorting required as there was a bit of rot but again, it was really no big deal if you’re properly equipped and exigent. Potential alcohols ran in the 12 to 12.5% range and we added about .5% depending on the cuvée in question. As to the wines, they are an interesting combination of fruit and structure that remind me of some combination of 2006 and 2007. Overall, I would characterize the quality of 2011 as a good but certainly by no means a great vintage.” And consistent with Dugat’s sentiments I found the quality of his 2011s more or less consistent with the general quality of the 2011 vintage