2018 Meursault 1er Cru Charmes
By Domaine des Comtes Lafon
2016 Montrachet from Domaine de la Romanee-Conti, Burgundy, France
The 2016 vintage was a profound year for Burgundy, a region that endures and thrives through its climatic trials. My attention fixates upon one particular gem: the 2016 Montrachet from Domaine de la Romanee-Conti. Intimations of greatness were whispered amongst oenophiles as the tumultuous weather patterns gave way to an unexpectedly smaller yet stunning harvest in this hallowed appellation.
Embarking on an Enigmatic Vintage Journey
The fickle frosts and adamant August sun have spun their narrative into the vines of Montrachet, giving our palates a tantalising tale in taste. Ripeness coincided with miraculous preservation of acidity, making the 2016 vintage's balancing act a memorable one.
The 2016 Montrachet reveals itself as an articulate expression of depth and elegance. Each glass is laced with harmonious notes of stone fruit, toasted brioche and flinty minerality – a signature of the calcareous soils. The palate experiences an exquisite dance between opulence and delicate precision, where creamy lees contact and the wine's youthful vigour converge.
A Masterclass in Investment-Worthy White Burgundy
This Montrachet is an exemplar among white Burgundies, revealing how exceptional vineyard pedigree and intelligent vinification can triumph even when nature imposes challenges. Its structure suggests not only immediate pleasure but also the potential for graceful maturation under vigilant cellaring.
Fine wine investors might take note: as time meanders, so will the evolution of this vintage's complexity deepen. The intricate interplay between fruit, oak integration, and mineral undertones forecasts a promising horizon for appreciation—be it on the palate or in terms of value.
In summing up, the 2016 Montrachet from Domaine de la Romanee-Conti stands as a beacon of winemaking resilience and finesse. For those seeking to invest or indulge, it represents a consummate Burgundy vintage—with whispers of greatness now resonating undeniably in each glass.
Market price (CAD)
$5,420.00
12x75cl
Highest score
94
POP score
232.86
Scores and tasting notes
The 2018 Meursault 1er Cru Charmes is also showing very well, revealing aromas of pear, crisp yellow orchard fruit, fresh peach, almond paste and white flowers, followed by a medium to full-bodied, satiny and muscular palate that's deep, concentrated and structured, with more texture and a more introverted profile than the more expressive Genevrières. This is another great bottle in the making.
William Kelley - The Wine Advocate, 9 January 2020