2018 Amiot Servelle Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Charmes
Producer note: Christian Amiot, with help from his two children Prune and Antoine, briefly described the 2018 vintage as "one that gave us ripe but not overripe fruit. The growing season was definitely very hot and dry but thanks to a particularly wet spring, the older vines mostly had enough water resources to bring the fruit to near-perfect maturities. By contrast, some of the younger vines with less well-developed root systems suffered somewhat. We picked from the 1st to the 10th of September and brought in on average yields that ranged from 40 to 45 hl/ha. Potential alcohols were also good without being particularly high at 12.9 to 14.2%. We had no particular issues during the vinifications while using between 0 and 100% whole clusters. As to the wines themselves, they continue to change each month and seem to actually become fresher and more energetic. I was quite worried that given how hot the summer was that we might have another 2003 on our hands but not at all plus they are certainly more charming than their 2003 counterparts. Overall, 2018 is a fine if not genuinely great vintage for us."
Note: from a 1.15 ha parcel
Tasting note: Toasty aromas of plum liqueur, spice and jammy black fruit are trimmed in discreet if not invisible oak. The exceptionally rich and ultra-seductive flavors coat the palate with tannin-buffering sap before terminating in a dusty and ever-so-mildly warm and bitter cherry-inflected finish. Because of the richness and density this should be approachable after only 5-ish or so years but reward 12 to 15.
Score: 90-92
Drink: 2030+
