2020 Domaine Buisson-Charles 'Hautes Coutures' Bourgogne Rouge

Winemaker Notes:  Louis Essa, the son of Patrick and Catherine, is now in charge of the day-to-day activities of this 6.3 ha domaine even though his parents remain very much involved. The younger Essa noted that "the season was hot and dry, but the vines didn't suffer much hydric stress. Despite the heat, and many of our neighbors beginning the harvest well before us, we didn't feel that we had the desired level of phenolic maturity that we like to have. So, we waited until the seeds were brown and thus, we didn't start picking until the 2nd of September. The fruit was spotless with good, but not really high, levels of potential alcohols, which is to say between 13 and 14% for the whites and 14 to 14.5% for the reds. Yields were also pretty good with around 40 hl/ha in white though lower in red and much more variable. We used from zero to 100% whole clusters for the fermentations, which unfolded with no problems. As to the wines, the thing that really stands out about them, and something that completely surprised us as we didn't expect it, is how fresh and vibrant they are. They are racier and more refined than their 2019 counterparts and particularly so in white. One senses that they're the product of a warm vintage, yet the acidities are so good that they make you stop and wonder if they really are the product of a very warm growing season. Either way, they should age well effortlessly, and we are quite happy with the results." Essa noted that the Chapelle and the Chambertin were purchases of wine in barrel and thus were not vinified by the domaine. Also, the reds will see about 18 months of élevage and will be bottled without fining or filtration. 

CRITICAL ACCLAIM

Burghound - "A mentholated top note can be found on the aromas of black raspberry, earth and floral wisps. The unusually dense, delicious and opulent middle weight flavors are exceptionally rich as the abundant dry extract completely buffers the supporting tannins, which are sufficiently firm to allow this to age well if desired. Score: 86-88."