1999 Camus Charmes-Chambertin

Camus Pere et Fils in Gevrey-Chambertin has been in the Camus family since the early 19th century. Hubert Camus is still the head of the domaine, though his daughter Melle is increasingly involved with the business. Hubert Camus has spent much of the last several decades involved with many civic and viticultural organizations, and he is well known in the region. The 35-acre domaine includes Grand Cru parcels in Charmes-Chambertin, Chambertin, Latricières-Chambertin, Mazoyères-Chambertin and Mazis-Chambertin. The domaine also makes a village Gevrey-Chambertin.

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.