2001 Claude Dugat Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru 90-92RP

From one of Gevrey’s warmest terroirs, the 2001 Charmes-Chambertin offers aromas of black cherries and blackberries. Light to medium-bodied, it slathers the palate with copious red and black cherries whose effects linger in its long, yet firm finish. Projected maturity: 2005-2012.

When asked if he had a preference between the 2000s and 2001s, the self-effacing Claude Dugat responded that “I like them about the same, even though the 2000s have a roundness that particularly appeals to me.” Later in the conversation, when I commented on the firm nature of his 2001s, he said “reaching full (grape) maturity was a real problem in 2001, but these wines will soften considerably at bottling when the CO2 is removed.”