Domaine René Bouvier : Charmes-Chambertin Grand cru 2018

Characteristics and tasting advice for the Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru 2018 from Domaine René Bouvier

Tasting

Color

The color shows a deep, intense cherry-red hue.

Nose

The nose reveals remarkable aromatic intensity, with notes of violet, licorice, and vanilla. Aromas of red fruits, quince, and toasted touches complete this complex bouquet. With aeration, nuances of Morello cherry, roasted coffee, and white pepper gradually emerge.

Palate

On the palate, the wine unfolds concentrated notes of cherry and red fruits. The tannic structure is dense yet perfectly polished, offering a silky texture. The finish impresses with its persistence and an invigorating savoriness that reawakens the palate.

Food and wine pairings

This Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru 2018 is an ideal match for game meats such as roast duck and goose. It also pairs beautifully with mushroom-based dishes, notably porcini and chanterelles. Herb-roasted lamb and traditional Burgundian dishes also make excellent pairings.

Serving and cellaring

The Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru 2018 can be enjoyed now, with one hour of decanting before serving. This wine has a cellaring potential of 10 to 20 years, allowing it to evolve until around 2038.

A Burgundy Grand Cru combining concentration and finesse

The estate

Based in Gevrey-Chambertin, this Burgundian estate traces its roots back to the 1950s, when René Bouvier took over the running of the domaine founded by his father in 1910 in Marsannay. Run since 1992 by Bernard Bouvier, this family estate tends a 30-hectare vineyard farmed with deep respect for the environment.  This terroir includes 23 hectares dedicated to red wines and 7 hectares to whites. 

The vineyard

The Charmes-Chambertin parcel of Domaine René Bouvier covers 0.40 hectares, located in the lieu-dit Mazoyères-Chambertin, near the boundaries of Latricières-Chambertin. The vines, around 60 years old at the time of the 2018 vintage, occupy the finest part of the cru. The soil consists of fine gravel mixed with clay on the surface, resting on a firm limestone subsoil. This geological composition gives the wine its hallmark power and remarkable persistence.

The vintage

The 2018 vintage in Burgundy was marked by an exceptionally rainy winter, with rainfall 30% higher than the usual averages. The growing season then showed a warm and mostly dry profile. Pinot Noir yields were reduced by around 10% compared with the averages, reaching 36 hectoliters per hectare. Despite the heat intensity, alcohol levels remained moderate thanks to judicious decisions regarding harvest dates. The 2018 red wines stand out for their vibrancy, structure, and intense aromatic expression, with a pronounced red-fruit character and sufficient balance for extended aging.

Vinification and aging

The Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru 2018 was vinified with 50% whole clusters. The wine then underwent eighteen months of aging in French oak barrels, 30% of which were new. This proportion of new oak was carefully calibrated to bring complexity and textural development without masking the terroir’s intrinsic character.

Grape variety

100% Pinot Noir