1997 Philippe Livera (Domaine Des Tilleuls) Chapelle Chambertin Reserve Vieilles Vignes

Philippe Livera (Domaine Des Tilleuls) was founded in Gevrey-Chambertin in the 1920s as Domaine des Tilleuls, a reference to the linden trees, called “tilleuls” in French, which were growing abundantly on the property. Philippe Livera took over from his father in 1986 and today the domaine is run by his son, Damien. The 22-acre estate sold its grapes to negociants for many decades, but today most of the grapes are used for the domaine’s label. Domaine Philippe Livera has a Grand Cru parcel in Chapelle Chambertin, as well as village parcels in Gevrey-Chambertin and Cotes de Nuits.

Chapelle-Chambertin is a 13.5-acre Grand Cru vineyard just north of Griotte-Chambertin in the village of Gevrey-Chambertin. Its name comes from the chapel of Notre Dame de Beze, a chapel built in 1155 by the monks of Abbey de Beze and demolished several centuries later during the French Revolution. There is not much slope in this vineyard, nor much soil. Louis Jadot and Claude Dugat have small parcels here, though the largest landholders are Pierre Damoy, 5 acres; Ponsot 1.7 acres; and Jean and Jean-Louis Trapet, 1.5 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.