Tasting Characteristics and Advice for the Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru 2018, Domaine Dominique Gallois

Tasting

Color

The wine shows a deep ruby color, leaning toward garnet, a typical intensity for a well-ripened pinot noir grown on century-old vines with small berries.

Nose

The nose is complex, revealing ripe red and black fruit aromas such as cherry, raspberry, and plum, intertwined with earthy notes, undergrowth, mushroom, and flint. Hints of leather, violet, clove, and cedar add further nuance, while a subtle spiciness completes this rich and inviting bouquet.

Palate

The palate is medium to full-bodied, structured by firm yet polished tannins and a lively acidity that brings freshness and energy. The texture is silky, with the dark fruit and undergrowth flavors from the nose carrying through, unfolding progressively in layers. The finish is long and flavorful, lingering on dark fruit and spice.

Food and wine pairings

The structure, complexity, and length of this Charmes-Chambertin make it a natural partner for roasted or grilled red meats, such as beef tenderloin or a well-marbled rib roast, especially when served with a reduced pan sauce. Its earthy, woodland character also pairs beautifully with game dishes, like venison or wild boar prepared with mushrooms, while its finesse allows it to accompany roasted poultry served with a creamy mushroom sauce. Aged pressed cheeses, such as Comté, can also be an interesting match, provided they are not overly pungent.

Serving and cellaring

The Charmes-Chambertin 2018 is best served at a temperature of around 60–64°F (16–18°C), ideally after decanting to allow the bouquet to fully open and the tannins to soften.

The Estate

Founded in 1989 when Dominique Gallois took over the family vineyard and began bottling the wines under the estate's own name, Domaine Dominique Gallois is located in Gevrey-Chambertin, in the heart of Burgundy's Côte de Nuits. The estate spans about 4 hectares across seven appellations, from regional Bourgogne to Grand Cru Charmes-Chambertin. Today, the property is run by Sophie Gallois, who officially joined in 2022 to lead the domaine alongside Dominique. Known for its human-scale approach, old vines, and sustainable farming without pesticides, the estate has built a solid reputation among wine professionals and enthusiasts alike.

The Vineyard

The Charmes-Chambertin comes from a 0.30-hectare plot planted in 1910, making these century-old vines among the oldest at the estate. Located right next to Griotte-Chambertin and just below Chambertin itself, this east-facing parcel benefits from gentle morning sunlight that favors slow, even ripening. The old vines naturally produce small berries with thick skins, resulting in a notable concentration of tannins and aromatics. The estate practices sustainable farming, avoiding pesticides and herbicides, with plowing used to manage the soil instead of chemical weed control.

The Vintage

The 2018 vintage was marked by an early harvest, picked around September 4th, following a deliberate green harvest earlier in the season to limit yields. This resulted in a moderate yield of around 32 hectoliters per hectare, allowing for good grape concentration while preserving a lively acidity, distinguishing this vintage from some other recent years at the estate.

Winemaking and aging

The Charmes-Chambertin 2018 was vinified using indigenous yeasts, following a cold pre-fermentation maceration designed to gently extract aromatic and color compounds. The fermentation lasted between 10 and 15 days, with hand punch-downs and pump-overs carried out to carefully manage tannin extraction. The malolactic fermentation occurred relatively late due to the cool cellar temperature. The wine was then aged for about 18 months in Allier oak barrels, with a carefully measured proportion of new wood to preserve the purity of fruit and terroir expression.

Grape Variety

100% pinot noir.