2012 Domaine Tortochot Charmes-Chambertin

Domaine Tortochot is a 28-acre domain in Gevrey-Chambertin. The domain is owned by the Tortochot family, which has been growing grapes in the region for more than 100 years. Today Chantal Tortochot runs the estate. Domaine Tortochot owns parcels in the Grand Cru vineyards of Chambertin, Charmes-Chambertin, Mazis-Chambertin, and Clos de Vougeot. There are also Premier Cru and villages parcels.

Charmes-Chambertin is a 78-acre Grand Cru vineyard in Gevrey-Chambertin that traditionally includes the acreage of nearby Mazoyeres-Chambertin. For nearly 200 years the growers of Mazoyeres have been legally allowed to sell their wines under the more famous name of Charmes-Chambertin, and virtually all of them do. Charmes-Chambertin is the largest of the Gevrey-Chambertin Grand Crus, and it generally has an excellent reputation. The slope of the vineyard is gentle and the surface soil poor. But producers including Joseph Roty, Christian Serafin, Domaine Dujac, Faiveley and Joseph Drouhin are acclaimed for their Charmes Chambertin. Principal landholders are Camus, with 14.75 acres; Perrot-Minot, 4 acres; and Armand Rousseau, 3.5 acres.

This red wine is relatively light and can pair with a wide variety of foods. The grape prefers cooler climates and the wine is most often associated with Burgundy, Champagne and the U.S. west coast. Regional differences make it nearly as fickle as it is flexible.