Domaine René Bouvier : Charmes-Chambertin Grand cru 2019

Characteristics and tasting advice for the Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru 2019, Domaine René Bouvier

Tasting

Color

The color shows a deep purple hue evolving toward garnet tones in the glass. The wine is clear and brilliant, reflecting careful winemaking and revealing the distinctive translucency of a top-quality Pinot Noir.

Nose

The aromatic bouquet reveals remarkable intensity, with notes of violet, licorice, vanilla, and quince. Red-fruit aromas express themselves fully through raspberry, strawberry, and cherry. After aeration, the wine unveils subtle woody and spicy nuances while retaining the floral and mineral character specific to the Charmes-Chambertin terroir.

Palate

On the palate, the wine combines an impressive structure with refined elegance. The dense tannins are perfectly polished, conveying a sense of power with no astringency. The mid-palate shows fleshy roundness and exceptional length. Acidity is seamlessly integrated, bringing energy and vitality without dominating the whole. The finish lingers with mineral and spicy notes suggesting excellent aging potential, while still offering immediate approachability.

Food and wine pairings

This Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru 2019 is an ideal match for roasted game meats such as venison or wild boar, as well as feathered game birds prepared in a wine-based sauce. It also pairs beautifully with beef and lamb dishes finished with a wine reduction. Aged soft-ripened cheeses such as mature Comté or Époisses make excellent companions. Herb- and mushroom-driven poultry dishes, particularly with truffle or morels, create subtle, refined pairings.

Serving and cellaring

The Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru 2019 is ideally served between 14 and 16°C. A light decant of one hour before serving helps optimize aromatic expression. This wine can be enjoyed now but has aging potential of at least 2029-2039, which may extend to 2059 under optimal cellaring conditions.

The power and finesse of a Burgundy Grand Cru

The estate

Based in Gevrey-Chambertin, this Burgundy estate traces its origins back to the 1950s, when René Bouvier took over the running of the domaine founded by his father in 1910 in Marsannay. Managed since 1992 by Bernard Bouvier, this family estate oversees 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

Charmes-Chambertin is a 27.54-hectare Grand Cru located between Morey-Saint-Denis and Gevrey-Chambertin, classified since 1937. The soils show a complex composition that varies with altitude, with partially alluvial brown soils at the top of the slope and clay-limestone soils lower down. The subsoil contains Bajocian rock, Jurassic marls and limestones, as well as numerous marine fossils. Domaine René Bouvier farms its Charmes-Chambertin plots under lease in the Mazoyères sector, with vines averaging around sixty years of age.

The vintage

The 2019 vintage in Burgundy is considered an outstanding year. Optimal growing conditions and a meticulously timed harvest made it possible to obtain grapes of remarkable ripeness. This vintage produced generous, silky wines, defined by charm and delicacy while retaining complexity and concentration. The ideal balance of ripeness, preserved acidity, and aromatic complexity created conditions that allowed growers to adopt low-intervention approaches while achieving full aromatic development.

Vinification and aging

The Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru 2019 from Domaine René Bouvier is harvested by hand in small 20-kilogram crates. Vinification takes place in small open vats with a traditional maceration of fifteen to twenty days, including selective punch-downs and gentle pump-overs. After pressing, the wine is aged for around eighteen months in French oak barrels, 50% new and 50% older barrels. Additional aging in stainless-steel tanks helps refine complexity and further polish the tannins.

Grape variety

100% Pinot Noir