Characteristics and Tasting Notes of the Charmes-Chambertin 2021 from Domaine Arlaud

Tasting

Color

This wine displays a bright ruby color with violet highlights, reflecting both the youth of the vintage and the concentration of fruit from mature parcels.

Nose

The nose unfolds with a detailed, intense bouquet of ripe red and black fruit, including raspberry and cherry, layered with delicate floral nuances. Subtle mineral and smoky tones add depth, while fine noble spices and a hint of licorice complete this complex aromatic profile.

Palate

The palate reveals a full, racy and remarkably refined structure, carried by fresh acidity and silky, ripe tannins with a slightly creamy texture on the finish. The fruit remains juicy and precise throughout, while delicate floral and spiced accents linger, leading to a long, elegant and harmonious finish.

Food and wine pairings

This Charmes-Chambertin pairs beautifully with roasted or confit duck, as its freshness balances the richness of the meat while echoing its red fruit notes. It is equally well suited to feathered game such as pigeon or partridge, especially when served with mushroom or truffle-based sauces. Dishes built around wild mushrooms, such as a wild mushroom risotto, also bring out the earthy and floral dimension of the wine, making it a versatile companion for refined, Burgundian-inspired cuisine.

Serving and cellaring

It is recommended to serve the Charmes-Chambertin 2021 at around 61°F (16°C), ideally after a light decanting or an hour or two of bottle aeration to fully reveal its aromatic complexity. This grand cru is built for long cellaring, with critics suggesting a peak window extending well into the following decades.

Other characteristics

The wine reaches approximately 13% alcohol by volume. It is bottled without fining or filtration, following the lunar calendar, which may result in a slight natural sediment without affecting its quality.

A Burgundy grand cru shaped by the Mazoyères climat in Gevrey-Chambertin

The Estate

Domaine Arlaud, founded in Morey-Saint-Denis in the heart of the Côte de Nuits, Burgundy, traces its family roots back to 1942. Today led by Cyprien Arlaud, who has overseen the estate since 2013, the domaine cultivates 17 hectares across 19 appellations, including four grand crus. Known for its early and consistent shift toward organic and biodynamic viticulture, certified Biodyvin since 2014, Domaine Arlaud is recognized as a benchmark for precise, terroir-driven winemaking in the Côte de Nuits.

The Vineyard

The Charmes-Chambertin grand cru is produced from 1.14 hectares of vines located within the Mazoyères climat, south of the Gevrey-Chambertin appellation along the Route des Grands Crus. The two parcels, one at the top and one at the base of the slope, rest on supple, slightly sandy limestone-clay soils. The vines, planted between 1957 and 1992, are farmed under organic and biodynamic certification, with soil plowed by horse and canes woven by hand to respect the natural vigor of the plant.

The Vintage

The 2021 growing season proved particularly challenging, marked by severe spring frost following an early budbreak, followed by unstable weather conditions and increased disease pressure through to the September harvest. Despite these difficulties, careful vineyard management allowed for the selection of healthy, well-ripened grapes.

Winemaking and aging

Grapes for the Charmes-Chambertin 2021 are hand-harvested in small crates and sorted across three successive sorting tables. About one third of the harvest is vinified as whole clusters, while the rest is destemmed but left uncrushed. Fermentation takes place in an open wooden vat using indigenous yeasts, with gentle extraction through pumping-over and foot-treading rather than frequent punching down. The wine is then aged for 15 to 18 months in oak barrels, with new wood kept to a limited proportion, before being bottled without fining or filtration according to the lunar calendar.

Grape Variety

100% pinot noir.