The 2009 Charmes-Chambertin is made from parcels in both Charmes and Mazoyeres. It shows tons of energy in its explosive fruit. The tannins are harmoniously balanced with the juiciness of the fruit in a warm radiant style that captures the essence of the vintage. Serafin's Charmes is one of the highlights among the 2009s. Anticipated maturity: 2019-2039.

Opulent this ripe concentrated red features black cherry raspberry and pomegranate flavors with hints of smoke and mineral. The oak shows up on the finish where a dense texture and licorice accent prevail. Impressive. Best from 2015 through 2035. -B.S.

A highly expressive and quite densely fruited nose features aromas of red berry liqueur earth and underbrush. Similarly there is plenty of substance to the big rich and generous broad-shouldered flavors that possess outstanding depth of material indeed there is so much sap that the very firm tannic spine is presently almost invisible on the textured balanced and superbly long finish. Somewhat curiously for such a big wine this will be approachable young due to the abundance of sap but should age brilliantly well. I should note that normally this is easily the most complex wine in the Serafin range but while this is certainly blessed with the most underlying material for the moment it displays no more overall complexity than does the Cazetiers. It very well may in time and if so my score will be quite rightly viewed as overly conservative.