Charles points to the very damp winter and spring providing sufficient ground reserves of water to combat the relentless summer heat, giving perfect quality, pure fruit, free from rot and with surprisingly good acidity and freshness. Whilst Meursault’s historically drier soils than Puligny and Chassagne have tended to result in bigger, more opulent wines, the increasing preference amongst the new generation of growers for earlier harvests, more reduction, less battonage, and less and bigger new oak barrels, really help to preserve freshness, elegance and tension. n a vintage like 2018 this seems especially important. I found Charles’ wines this year amongst the most satisfying whites tasted, rich and intense, but with an opulence supported by a good vein of balancing acidity and mineral depths.
"Intense and powerful, slightly burnished nose of ripe waxy fruit, with marzipan, buttered toast, and a touch of bacon fat. Rich fruited palate, with more zest than the nose, and the expected plumb-line core of acidity and minerality to support the plush and concentrated but never over-ripe peach-accented fruit." Tom Harrow, Wine Guru
"From the upper part of the vineyard, surrounded by Domaine des Comtes Lafon. Only 40cm topsoil up here. Another fine lemon and lime colour. Good flesh is apparent even from the bouquet. Really impressive pure rich white fruit on the palate, with extra weight compared to Tête du Clos, offering luxurious cashmere without losing the tension. Very promising." 94 pts, Jasper Morris, Inside Burgundy
"Mealy and oaky on the nose. Citrus and even a hint of fresh pears – perhaps that’s the lees. Taut, very crisp but with the fruit weight to balance it. Not sure it is worth the premium compared with the village Meursault though it does have great length." 17 pts, Jancis Robinson