Bachelet/Denis Charmes-Chambertin Vieilles Vignes 2020

98 points John Gilman (View From the Cellar): "And the ancient vines in Monsieur Bachelet’s parcel of Charmes-Chambertin? They have produced a magical wine in 2020. The deep, sappy and utterly refined bouquet delivers scents of sweet dark berries, black cherries, grilled meats, espresso, woodsmoke, a very, very complex base of soil tones, raw cocoa and a lovely framing of nutty new oak. On the palate the wine is full-bodied, focused and again, simply bottomless at the core, with sappy fruit linked to stunning mineral drive and grip, ripe, well-integrated tannins, flawless balance and a very, very long, complex and focused finish. A great, great wine in the making. 2040-2100. (NovDec 2021)"

98 points Charles Curtis, MW (Decanter): "There is an intense black plum aroma, with hints of ginger, liquorice, violets and earth. The concentration of old vines allied with the freshness brought by the Combe Grisard is a sublime combination. The texture of the wine is not heavy nor over-extracted, yet the finish lingers liltingly on the palate seemingly forever - a superb experience. There are two parcels in Aux Charmes that total 0.43ha. Bachelet notes that after three drought years the vines are suffering, yet these old vines (planted between 1907-1917) continue to make epic wine despite these challenges. Drinking Window: 2022-2035. (10/11/21)"

96-98 points William Kelley (Wine Advocate): "There are only five barrels of the monumental 2020 Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru Vieilles Vignes, a wine Denis Bachelet is inclined to rank alongside his 2002 and 1999 as among the greatest hits of his career. Unfurling in the glass with notes of peonies, rose petals, wild berries, loamy soil, black truffle, exotic spices and blood orange, it's full-bodied, layered and multidimensional, with huge concentration, lively acids and beautifully ripe, powdery tannins. Concluding with a long and perfumed finish, it's one of the wines of the vintage. (1/20/22)"

95-97 points Jasper Morris, MW (Inside Burgundy): "Purple colour. The Bachelet Charmes-Chambertin delivers as always a ravishingly hedonistic nose though Denis says it has closed down a bit as the weather has got colder. Such a gorgeous sumptuous fruit with just a tarry touch at the finish from the barrel, allied to the extra ripeness of the vintage. A very long finish, of course. One for the very long term. (Dec 2021)"

93-96 points/'Don't miss!' Allen Meadows (Burghound): "(from a .44 ha parcel of 90+ year old vines situated directly across from Chambertin; the yields are so low, and the vines so exposed that Bachelet says that he always harvests this parcel first). Discreet but not invisible wood sets off the exuberantly floral aromas of both red and dark pinot fruit, earth, spice and a whisper of exotic tea. The succulent yet beautifully detailed medium weight plus flavors also brim with dry extract that does an excellent job of buffering the dense but fine supporting tannins shaping the firm and youthfully austere finale that goes on and on. This too is terrific and notably refined and while it is built to last for years, it should be approachable after only 7 to 8 years of cellaring. In a word, impressive. Drink: 2035+. (Jan 2022)"

95 points Christy Canterbury, MW (TimAtkin.com): "Heady with floral and mineral aromatics, this intense Charmes easily digests its 50% new oak aging. Black fruits, forest floor and licorice linger on the powerful finish with smartly curated tannins. Denis usually makes eight barrels but only made five in 2020. In 2021, he made three. Buy some if you find it. 2023-38. (2022)"

94 points Neal Martin (Vinous): "There are five instead of eight barrels of the 2020 Charmes-Chambertin Vieilles Vignes Grand Cru, which is still more than there will be next year. This takes its time to open, revealing wild strawberry and black cherry scents entwined with hints of graphite and crushed stone. The palate is framed by very fine tannins, the palate sweet and concentrated with dark cherries, fig and damson. Gentle grip on the finish with very long length, this should give 20-30 years drinking pleasure. Drink: 2025-2050. (May 2022)"