1990 Mommessin Charmes-Chambertin

Mommessin traces its history in Macon, in southern Burgundy, to 1865, when Jean-Marie Mommessin purchased outbuildings of a former abbey and began business as a negociant. In 1932 Mommessin purchased the Clos de Tart, an 18.6 - acre Grand Cru vineyard which was one of the best in the region. Today the estate’s headquarters is located in Quincie-en-Beaujolais and Mommessin owns 250 acres of vineyards. The estate is planted primarily to Gamay.

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.