2019 Domaine Denis Bachelet, Gevrey-Chambertin Premier Cru, Les Corbeaux Vieilles Vignes

The 2019 Gevrey-Chambertin Les Corbeaux 1er Cru, matured in around 50% new oak, has a beautifully defined, quite earthy bouquet that blossoms with aeration, touches of truffle and tobacco emerging with time. The palate is medium-bodied with edgy, almost chalky tannins, more black fruit entering the fray. A hint of blood orange appears on the pixelated finish. Stunning.

Scents of cherries, sweet red berries, raw cocoa, plums and spicy oak introduce the 2019 Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Les Corbeaux, a medium to full-bodied, delicate and fine-boned wine that's lively and elegant, reflecting Bachelet's preference—realized for more than a handful of vintages at this stage—for gentler extraction with this historically rather muscular cuvée.

Vines mainly planted in the 1920s. Cool spot next to Mazis-Chambertin. Cask sample. This wine is usually a bit closed in youth (owing to the coolness of the site) but in fact this 2019 was gorgeous and polished. Beautifully fresh and sweet. A real charmer. (JR)