Wine Advisor
Claude Dugat, Charmes Chambertin Grand Cru 2008
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: David Schildknecht
Pure, bright fresh cherry on the nose of Claude Dugat’s 2008 Charmes Chambertin is accompanied to the palate by a suffusion of chalk, forest floor aura, and invigoratingly salinity. This long, lean, refreshing expression of its vintage gains a sense of red meat juices and takes on ever-sweeter fruit expression as it opens to the air. Oscillating interactions of its multiple layers serve for finishing fascination, while its generous fresh fruit never flags and its underlying tannins boast real refinement. I would look for 12-15 years of satisfying stimulation here. Claude Dugat reports that his triage in 2008 was more for rot than under-ripe berries, since his routine willingness to resort to drastic crop-dropping serves to guarantee that the fruit matures. He did however report back-off slightly on the total length of maceration. Importer: Robert Kacher Selections, Washington, DC; tel. (202) 832-9083
About the Producer
Domain Claude Dugat is a tiny domaine in Burgundy with cult status, and the quality to match. Claude Dugat has the good fortune to work in the Cellier des Dimes, purchased by his father Maurice in 1955. This, previously known as the Grange des Dimes, was where the locals would bring their tithe of grapes or cereal, depending on their holdings, for the benefit of the church. The building was constructed in 1219 though the stone pillars inside are thought to date back to Gallo-Roman times. The Dugats – Claude, assisted by his wife, son and two daughters – have three hectares of their own and a further three rented. The younger generation also run a very small negociant business alongside, La Gibryotte, just covering the wines of their commune – Bourgogne Rouge, Gevrey Chambertin, Gevrey Chambertin 1er cru (unspecified) and Charmes-Chambertin.
