Domaine Dujac
Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru
Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru
2015
Vintage
Varietal
Pinot Noir
ABV
13.5%
Where it is, July 2026
At Peak: in the heart of its drinking window (2018-2039).
In 2026, Domaine Dujac's Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru 2015 sits eight years into its twenty-one-year peak window, which opened in 2018 and runs through 2039. This is a wine thoroughly at peak, where the exuberance of 2015's benchmark vintage has matured into something richer and more complex without losing an ounce of the vivacity that made that year extraordinary across the Cote de Nuits. Dujac's signature whole-cluster vinification has evolved beautifully in the bottle: the aromatic complexity of star anise and violet, initially upfront and vibrant, now floats above a deeper base of macerated red plum, earthy undergrowth, and a mineral spine that anchors the wine's considerable richness. The 2015 vintage delivered lush, ripe, and beautifully balanced reds across Gevrey-Chambertin's grands crus, and this Charmes shows every bit of that character in 2026: full-bodied, seamlessly integrated, and showing the mid-palate density that characterizes Charmes-Chambertin at its finest. There are thirteen years of peak drinking still ahead for bottles held in proper cellars, but opening one now means catching the wine at a moment of genuine harmony. Explore the [Burgundy wine region guide](/wines/region/burgundy) or the [Pinot Noir varietal page](/wines/varietal/pinot-noir), and see [Dujac Charmes-Chambertin 2009](/wines/domaine-dujac/charmes-chambertin-grand-cru/2009) for an older vintage comparison.
The ‘15 Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru.
Dujac's whole-cluster Charmes-Chambertin 2015 delivers star anise, macerated plum, and violet complexity in a benchmark Grand Cru vintage, sitting eight years deep into peak drinking in 2026.
Drinking window
Tasting note
Domaine Dujac's 2015 Charmes-Chambertin pours a deep, saturated ruby with a warm, slightly amber edge beginning to emerge: a color that signals the considerable density of this vintage while hinting at the slow evolution underway. Dujac's whole-cluster vinification is immediately apparent on the nose: star anise and violets rise above a generous palette of dark cherry and macerated red plum, adding the aromatic complexity that separates whole-bunch Burgundy from more conventionally destemmed approaches. Below that aromatic lift, the wine offers a deeper layer of warm spice, cedar, and a hint of forest floor that has developed with eight years in bottle. The palate is full-bodied and substantial, carrying the richness that made 2015 one of the Cote de Nuits's greatest recent vintages: the tannins are plentiful and notably chewy in texture from the whole-cluster winemaking, yet beautifully integrated with the wine's natural fruit concentration. The mid-palate delivers wave after wave of macerated plum and dark cherry, framed by the mineral spine that distinguishes Charmes-Chambertin from the surrounding village wines. The finish is long, spiced, and persistent, closing with a violet-tinged aromatic lift that signals considerable development still ahead.
The 2015 vintage
The 2015 growing season across Gevrey-Chambertin's grands crus was exceptional by nearly every measure. A wet spring recharged the water table after the previous three vintages had brought hail events across parts of the Cote de Beaune, and the growing season that followed was warm and dry through summer, building phenolic ripeness and fruit concentration across the Cote de Nuits. Crucially, the timing of those spring rains offset what might otherwise have been a too-hot, too-dry summer: the vine reserves were sufficient to sustain even ripening without the heat stress that plagued subsequent years. Wine Spectator rated 2015 Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru at 98 points Classic, the highest quality designation, citing lush and ripe yet balanced reds at all levels as the vintage's defining character. The harvest arrived at ideal maturity, producing wines of exceptional density and concentration that retain the freshness typically associated with cooler Burgundy vintages — a combination that accounts for the wine's extended and reliable aging trajectory.
About Domaine Dujac
Domaine Dujac, founded by Jacques Seysses in 1967 and now jointly run by his sons Jeremy and Alec Seysses with their respective partners, produces wines from a portfolio of Gevrey-Chambertin and Morey-Saint-Denis grands crus that represent some of the most faithful expressions of Cote de Nuits terroir available. The domaine's defining stylistic commitment is whole-cluster fermentation: a significant percentage of uncrushed grape clusters enter the fermentation vat, imparting the distinctive aromatic signature of star anise, spice, and violet that marks Dujac wines across vintages. The approach requires precise reading of each year's harvest: in warmer vintages like 2015, whole-cluster adds aromatic complexity without the green or stemmy notes that can appear in cooler years. The wines are bottled without fining or filtration and typically show better with five to ten years of cellaring, maturing into layered, spice-driven expressions of their respective terroirs that can age for multiple decades.
From the cellar: pair with
Roast duck breast with cherry compote
The wine's macerated plum and dark cherry primary fruit mirrors a tart cherry compote while Dujac's whole-cluster tannin structure cuts through duck fat; the star anise aromatic note adds a bridge between wine and dish that is specific to this whole-cluster expression.
Rack of lamb with rosemary and black olive
Charmes-Chambertin's full body and spice-driven complexity suit lamb's savory depth; the whole-cluster's chewy tannin provides the framework to handle fat content while the violet floral note echoes the rosemary's herbal aromatic lift.
Aged Epoisses or Comte cheese
The wine's earthy undergrowth and cedar secondary notes align with the funkier, washed-rind character of Burgundian cheeses; the full-bodied fruit concentration balances salt and fat while the long mineral finish refreshes the palate.
Service & cellaring
- Serving Temp
- 60-64F (16-18C)
- Decanting
- Decant 45 minutes to 1 hour in 2026. Whole-cluster tannins open generously with air but the wine does not need the extended decanting of a tight young Bordeaux. Pour slowly if sediment is present.
- Cellar Storage
- 55F (13C), 60-70% humidity, bottle on its side.
The drinking window on this bottle is calculated with the Cellared Ageability Index (CAI) v1.0, a 10-factor model. Try the free drinking window calculator on any wine, or read when to drink wine for the practical signals.
More from Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru
Frequently Asked
When is the ideal time to drink Dujac Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru 2015?
In 2026, the wine sits eight years into a twenty-one-year peak window, making this an excellent time to open bottles. The whole-cluster tannins have integrated beautifully with the wine's fruit concentration, and the aromatic complexity is fully open. Patience through 2030 to 2035 will reward further cellaring with additional tertiary depth, but there is no reason to wait. Peak drinking extends through 2039, with continued development possible until 2048.
How should I decant the 2015 Dujac Charmes-Chambertin?
A 45-minute to one-hour decant is recommended when opening in 2026. Pour slowly from a standing bottle to avoid disturbing fine sediment, then allow the wine to breathe in a wide-bowled Burgundy glass. The whole-cluster character means the wine opens generously with air but does not need the extended decanting that a more tannic Bordeaux would require. Serve at 60 to 64 degrees Fahrenheit, or 16 to 18 Celsius.
What foods pair best with Dujac Charmes-Chambertin 2015?
Classic Burgundian preparations excel with this wine: roast duck with dark fruit, rack of lamb with rosemary, pigeon with mushroom sauce, and aged Burgundian cheeses such as Epoisses or Comte. The whole-cluster vinification's chewy tannins and star anise spice note mean the wine handles richer, more aromatic dishes than lighter Burgundy premier crus. Avoid raw fish or light seafood, which would be overwhelmed by the wine's full body and spice-forward character.
How does the 2015 compare to other Dujac Charmes-Chambertin vintages?
The 2015 Dujac Charmes-Chambertin represents the domaine at a benchmark vintage: fuller-bodied and richer than the more austere 2014 or the lighter-framed 2017, and showing more concentration than the cooler 2016. For those looking to compare vintage expressions, the domaine's 2009 Charmes-Chambertin on Cellared shows how the wine looks at a mature stage, with more tertiary complexity and dried fruit alongside the primary dark fruit and spice.