Score: 92-94
Tasted: Jun 15, 2018
Drink: 2024+
Issue: 71
Note: 40% from En Charlemagne and 60% from Le Charlemagne
Producer note: As most readers will now have heard, the historic domaine of Bonneau du Martray has been sold to American billionaire Stan Kroenke, owner of Screaming Eagle along with pinot producers Jonata and The Hilt. All of Kroenke’s wine properties are managed by Frenchman Armand de Maigret who is based in Napa and was there at the time of my visit. The cellarmaster noted that the frost cost <50% of a normal year's volume. (Becky Wasserman & Co., www.beckywasserman.com, Beaune, France is the US Agent; Martin Scott Wines (NY, NJ, CT), www.martinscottwines.com, Lake Success, NY, Chambers & Chambers Wine Merchants (CA, HI), www.chamberswines.com, CA, Fine Vines, www.finevines.com, IL, Classified Wine & Spirits, LLC, www.classifiedwine.net, TX, Wines Unlimited, www.winesunlimited.com, LA, Atlanta Wholesale Wines, www.ndcweb.com, GA, Augustan Wine, www.augustanwine.com, FL, C'est Vin, LLC, 703.243.3559, (DC/VA) VA, Veritas Imports, www.veritaswine.com, NV/AZ/NM, M.S. Walker, www.mswalker.com, MA, all USA; Corney & Barrow, www.corneyandbarrow.com, UK).
Tasting note: A pungent nose combines notes of wood and reduction. Otherwise there is both good density and punch to the intensely mineral-driven broad-shouldered flavors that possess sneaky good length. This beauty is notably firm but not really austere and while it should age well over the mid-term, it should also be accessible after as little as 5 years.
