2014 Domaine Ponsot, Chambolle-Musigny Premier Cru, Les Charmes

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

The 2014 Chambolle Musigny 1Er Cru les Charmes has a tightly-wound bouquet that does not require too much encouragement to reveal scents of macerated small red cherries, blueberry and a hint of cold flint. There is something "cool" about this nose (temperature speaking). The palate is fresh and vibrant on the entry. I like the tannins here, precise and perhaps a little rigid, yet they frame the red berry fruit with style and lend wonderful mineralité on the finish. This is an impressive Chambolle Charmes that should age with style and grace. Laurent Ponsot was unfortunately away when I visited the domaine, but fortunately chef de cave Arnaud was on hand to guide me through the 2014s. He told me that they picked from 23 September until the beginning of October, as is customary here, later than many growers. He told me that there was some affect of the drosophila suzukii but that it was spread over the vineyards rather than specific locations. In any case, it was remedied by vigorous sorting in the vines. The malolactic was smooth and quick and finished by the end of the year. The wines will be bottled May/June 2016. It was an excellent, occasionally spellbinding set of 2014s from Ponsot, the seemingly never-ending array of Grand Crus achieving great heights, the highlights being the Clos de la Roche Très Vieilles Vignes and a wonderful Chapelle-Chambertin. 92-94 points