Wines Unspecified Domaine Ghislaine Barthod - Les Charmes - 1991

Viniou Reviews

Domaine Ghislaine Barthod’s 1991 “Les Charmes” Premier Cru is a distinguished red Burgundy that encapsulates the essence of its terroir and vintage. Composed exclusively from Pinot Noir, this cuvée hails from the revered Les Charmes Premier Cru vineyard, renowned for producing wines of substantial depth and refinement. The 1991 vintage offered balanced, classic conditions, resulting in wines prized for their elegance and aromatic complexity. The careful, traditional vinification techniques adopted at the domaine—manual harvesting, gentle extraction, and sensitive oak ageing—preserve the purity of fruit and terroir expression, allowing the subtle nuances of mature Pinot Noir to come to the fore. Over thirty years of evolution have likely endowed this wine with a bouquet of dried cherries, forest floor, delicate undergrowth, and refined earthy notes, while the palate should remain silky, with softened tannins and lingering finesse.

Situated in Burgundy, one of the world’s most celebrated wine regions, Chambolle-Musigny (home to Les Charmes) benefits from a temperate continental climate. This climate, with warm days and cool nights, is ideal for Pinot Noir, promoting slow ripening and aromatic complexity. The soils here are dominated by limestone and clay, imparting minerality and elegance to the wines. Burgundy’s history is marked by centuries of careful parcel identification, with Premier Cru sites like Les Charmes being recognised for their ability to consistently deliver exceptional quality from vintage to vintage.

Given the subtlety and maturity of this wine, it pairs beautifully with refined dishes that allow its nuances to shine. Classic matches include roasted duck with a cherry jus, game birds like pigeon or quail, or even a delicate mushroom and truffle risotto. For a regional pairing, try coq au vin with morel mushrooms or a simple Burgundy beef stew, where the depth and integration of flavours will beautifully echo the wine’s evolution.

For optimal enjoyment, serve this wine at 16-17°C, ideally after allowing it to breathe in a decanter for up to an hour. This gentle aeration will help unravel the tertiary aromatics and delicacy that are the hallmarks of well-aged Burgundy.