Vincent & Jean-Pierre Charton 2016 Mercurey 1er Cru Clos du Roy

Robert Parker 92+ Points: "The 2016 Mercurey 1er Cru Clos du Roy is the most reserved wine in Domaine Charton's portfolio, but it also possesses the greatest potential, unfurling in the glass with notes of sweet cherries, rich soil and orange rind. On the palate, it's medium to full-bodied, ample and deep, with a concentrated core of juicy fruit that conceals its fine-grained tannins. It will be even better with a few years' bottle age.

Thirty-two-year-old Vincent Charton took over this 10-hectare domaine in Mercurey in 2008. He works the soils, debuds to control yields and harvests by hand. The entirely destemmed grapes ferment for around 20 days before maturation in barrels (some 20% to 30% new) from Tonnellerie Chassin, which marry beautifully with the wines. The result is a range of generous, gourmand red Mercurey bottlings that display melting tannins and an abundance of juicy fruit. Anyone looking for classy and delicious red Burgundy for a modest tariff shouldn't hesitate to pursue the wines of this small but promising domaine. What's more, I'm sure the best is still to come."