Medium, medium-plus colour. A nose of macerating cherries, slightly alcoholic but focused. Full in the mouth with concentrated fruit and equally concentrated, reasonably fine and ripe tannin. Very nice fruit that hints at an extra creamy dimension and lovely acidity. This wine has plenty of muscle and I wouldn’t hesitate to leave it another 10 years, yet was a tasty wee dram. Very good.
Thomas Charles
2003 Thomas Charles Clos de Vougeot
Medium-plus cherry-red colour. A high-toned rather narrow nose – you have to work to get at the fruit at its base. Concentrated, reasonable texture too. Reasonable acidity. The wine opens out nicely on the finish. Whilst it might not be a classic Clos de Vougeot, it certainly has the classic austerity. A good wine, but only almost good Clos de Vougeot.
2000 Thomas Charles Clos de Vougeot
Medium-plus colour. The nose is deep with ripe fruit that’s even a little jammy. Grainy tannins and reasonably good acidity. The finish is long and a little astringent, but this is showing in a very young way. Not amazing quality but potentially not bad – give it another 3-5 years before trying again.
2000 Thomas Charles Romanée Saint-Vivant
Really deep cherry colour, just fades gently to the rim. The nose has a lovely focused griotte note which gains emphasis with time, not at all floral. Creamily fat, concentrated, and surprisingly tannic – this has a finish like a fully loaded shiraz. Good acidity and concentrated fruit that seems to be up to the job. I’m surprised how up-front this wine shows – it’s not really for drinking right now, but at least half a dozen will be finding their way to my cellar for 2010+
1999 Thomas Charles Grands-Echézeaux
Medium ruby red. The nose starts a little disjointed – bit of oak here, a little cherry there. Slowly the high toned fruit mix melds with the (now fading) creamy oak – I really think that this could me mistaken for a white wine if you didn’t see the colour! Perfect acidity and medium strength, fine tannin. The palate isn’t fat, but there’s a nice persistence to the creamy fruit. This is a super, balanced, very elegant and drinkable wine – I’d expect a little more of everything from a top Grands Echézeaux, but I’m not sure it would provide more enjoyment!
2001 Thomas Charles Bonnes-Mares
Only medium colour – cherry red. The nose is very subdued, but shows a few high tones. Given 40 minutes opens up just a little more to give a deeper profile, perhaps a trace of caramel too. The palate on the other hand, shows very fine, concentrated fruit with good fat. Nice acidity with forward, but well mannered, tannins. Should become a very good bottle.