Charmes Chambertin Grand Cru

Domaine Taupenot-Merme is a Burgundy wine estate located in the heart of the Côte de Beaune at Morey-Saint-Denis. The Pinot Noir-based wines aim to represent various terroirs rather than an overwhelming house style.

The domaine owns around 13 hectares (32 acres) of vineyard, spread across 19 different appellations in both the Côte de Beaune and Côte de Nuits. The domaine makes wine from several key grand and premier cru vineyards, including Charmes-Chambertin and Mazoyères-Chambertin, and the La Riotte Premier Cru in Morey-Saint-Denis. Taupenot-Merme also owns a small portion of the Clos des Lambrays vineyard, which is otherwise owned by the Domaine des Lambrays. The vineyards have been farmed organically since 2001.

The domaine in its current form was founded in 1963, after the marriage of Denise Merme and Jean Taupenot. Their son Romain joined full-time in 1998, becoming the seventh generation of the Taupenot family to work as winemaker.
Taupenot-Merme bottles its Charmes-Chambertin and Mazoyères-Chambertin separately (Mazoyères is entitled to be called Charmes). “I make the distinction between Charmes and Mazoyères, because we have a large superficie [area under vines], but they are very different from the start,” he said.

Appellation Grands Crus of the Côte de Nuits region (Côte-d’Or).
The defined area of the appellations CHARMES-CHAMBERTIN and MAZOYÈRES-CHAMBERTIN is the same, but the appellation CHARMES CHAMBERTIN is the one normally employed.
On the label, the words Grand Cru must appear immediately below the name of each of these appellations in characters of exactly the same size.

Vivid colouration ranging from deep ruby to black-cherry. Their aromas suggest strawberry, blackcurrant, and gooseberry as well as fruit pits, liquorice, and spices. Violet, moss and underbrush are also likely to be present. On the palate, power, opulence and elegance unite to make a full and complex body, full of sap and voluptuosness textured. Keeping potential is 10 years minimum. Although these sumptuous Grands Crus share a family resemblance, each has its own distinctive nuances.
The Grands Crus of Gevrey-Chambertin are iconic Pinot Noir wines; powerful, virile, complex and intense. They demand equally complex, hightoned dishes to keep the pairing in balance. Feathered game (grilled or, better still, in wine sauce) will, of course, be a worthy companion. The power of the wine’s tannins will withstand the shock of contrasting textures while its aromatic complexity and above all its opulence will bring out the differences.
Roast lamb in gravy, chicken in red wine sauce, glazed poultry, and rib steak will also benefit from the match, not forgetting soft-centred cheeses which will get strong support from the wine’s power and aromatic persistence.