2011 Lucien Le Moine, Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru

Vinous 92-95

(a blend of true Charmes and Mazoyeres): Medium red. Musky, subtle aromas of black cherry, crushed stone and game. Precise and light on its feet, with intense, vibrant cherry and raspberry flavors lifted by sappy minerality and a floral element. Classy, juicy wine with lovely finishing persistence and lift. A superb showing. [Stephen Tanzer, 01/01/2013]

Robert Parker 94

The 2011 Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru has an endearing strawberry pastille bouquet that is very pure and sensual. The palate is medium-bodied with very fine tannins, pitch perfect acidity and a succulent, sappy black cherry and blueberry finish that is long and citrus fresh. Excellent. Drink 2016-2033. Prior to launching into Maison Lucien de Moine’s 2012 reds with irrepressible winemaker Mounir Saouma, we revisited some of his 2011s that are now in bottle. To recap, Mounir is one of the last Burgundy producers to bottle his wines, since he is a great believer in extended elevage. There is a clutch of outstanding wines in this vintage, particularly at the grand cru level, where one must admire the consistency across the board. As always, readers are reminded that Lucien Le Moine’s wines are made in a stringently reductive method, therefore they always need more decanting time than other growers. Importers: Vintus LLC, Pleasantville, NY; tel. (914) 769-3000, Atherton Imports, Menlo Park, CA; tel. (650) 328-6639 [Neal Martin, 30/04/2014]

Anticipated maturity: 2016-2033