Dujac Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru 2021

Rather powerful and muscular by the standards of the vintage, the 2021 Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru reveals aromas of dark berries and plums mingled with rose petals, spices and orange zest. Medium to full-bodied, layered and concentrated, with a textural mid-palate and a long, perfumed finish, this is impressive - William Kelley

The 2021 Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru comes from the lieu-dit of "Les Charmes". This cuvée was heavily reduced on the nose, so skipping past that, the palate is juicy on the entry, with fine acidity. However, I feel it does not possess the complexity and mineral-drive as the superb Aux Combottes this year, as if to say, "you take the honours".

A hint of reduction lurks in the background though it's sufficiently subtle to permit aromas of plum, earth, spice and violet to be discerned. There is good vibrancy to the intense and solidly voluminous medium-bodied flavors that possess a relatively refined mid-palate that contrasts markedly with the somewhat clunky tannins on the otherwise persistent and reasonably well-balanced finale. I would observe that the Charmes is a bit of an outlier in the Dujac portfolio in 2021 because for the most part, the tannins are relatively sleek. Perhaps that will change with age, but this isn't at its usual level, at least not today.