Tasting Notes
Robert Parker 92
Another structured, serious wine is the 2018 Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Cras, one of the ripest in the cellar—as I observed last year. Opening in the glass with notes of cherries, plums raw cocoa, peonies and espresso roast, it’s medium to full-bodied, rich and layered, with a voluminous core of ripe but lively fruit, powdery and abundant tannins and a youthfully chalky finish.
Anticipated maturity: 2028-2060
JancisRobinson.com 17.5
1.75 ha (4.3 acres). Higher vineyard than most, facing south-east but cool air comes down the combe. Terres blanches, ie limestone-rich marl. Low-vigour vines here. Theirs were planted 1931, some replanted 2002. 60% whole bunch, 25% new oak. Barrel sample. Deep crimson. Fabulous nose of ripe red fruit with the perfume of peony. Perhaps also a touch of lavender from the whole bunch. Wild flowers and still so much fruit. Much tighter and more strict than Les Combottes, the tannins more upright and less smooth but still very very fine. More stony. 14.2% but you would not know. And that mineral freshness and energy is outstanding even if the wine is less approachable than some. Rich in fruit, mouth-watering in texture and that minerality gives a tight frame to the fruit. (JH)
Anticipated maturity: 2026-2038
