2020 Maison Camille Giroud Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru

Region: Burgundy, France

Grape: Pinot Noir

Culinary Suggestions: Wagyu Steak, Game Meats, Quail, Duck

About

In 1865, Camille Giroud, of Swiss origin, married Miss Deschamps, who was the daughter of a family of coopers and wine merchants long-established in Beaune. This year, Camille also took over a small family-owned wine trade firm which he renamed Maison Giroud Deschamps. It wasn’t until 1903, that the Maison finally took the name Camille Giroud.

Throughout most of its history, Maison Camille Giroud only purchased musts and finished wines. They established themselves as a wine maturer and only purchased wines they could cellar for many years or even decades.

In the 1990s, the family decided to break from tradition, putting aside wine purchases and began buying grapes and vineyards, but in 2000, unable to get the company back on track financially, the family made the decision to sell the company.

A group of American investors took over Maison Camille Giroud in 2001, but they did not wish to be too closely involved and wanted the company to keep to its traditions.

Today the Maison remains rather exclusive, Carel Voorhuis has taken over the reins since October 2016. The course chartered for the Maison from its origin remains unchanged, whilst pursuing new projects implemented since 2002.

Tasting Notes

A more floral and less oaky nose reflects equally layered aromas of black pinot fruit, earth and a pretty array of spice elements. There is again fine volume to the seductively textured and suave medium weight plus flavors that possess an abundance of tannin-buffering dry extract on the complex, long and youthfully austere finale where the wood exhibited by the nose reappears. This is also going to need a few years of cellaring to fully integrate the oak treatment.

91-94 points - Allen Meadows, Burghound.com April 2022

Drink: 2032+