2010 Maison Joseph Drouhin Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru

The 2010 Charmes-Chambertin is a big, textured wine loaded with fruit. It comes across as a bit reticent, despite its considerable density and pure energy. The seductiveness needs time to blossom here, but the wine's textural finesse suggests that the only thing missing is time.

The 2010 Charmes-Chambertin is a big, textured wine loaded with fruit. It comes across as a bit reticent, despite its considerable density and pure energy. The seductiveness needs time to blossom here, but the wine's textural finesse suggests that the only thing missing is time. Anticipated maturity: 2017-2030. This is an impressive showing from Drouhin. In my view the 2010s are more interesting and transparent than the 2009s. Veronique Drouhin describes 2010 as a vintage with long-term aging potential, which certainly seems to be the case. Some of the wines were vinified with a portion of whole clusters, including the Corton-Bressandes, Petits-Monts, Charmes and Musigny. Importer: Dreyfus Ashby & Co., New York, NY; tel. (212) 818-0770

Good medium red. Musky, reduced aromas of redcurrant, game, menthol, mint and chocolatey torrefaction. Then surprisingly open-knit and full in the mouth, with a saline complexity to the flavors of raspberry and chocolate. Broad, spicy and nicely filled in, with ripe tannins supported by the wine's mid-palate stuffing.