2018 Domaine Taupenot-Merme Mazoyères-Chambertin

Domaine Taupenot-Merme is in Morey-Saint-Denis. The 34-acre estate has parcels in 20 appellations and is today run by Romain Taupenot and his sister Virginie, who are the seventh generation owners of the estate. Taupenot-Merme has Grand Cru parcels in Charmes-Chambertin, Mazoyeres-Chambertin, and Corton. There are numerous Premier Cru parcels and village appellations in the Cote de Nuits and Cote de Beaune. The estate makes both Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Clive Coates calls the estate “a very good address.”

Mazoyeres-Chambertin is a small part of the Grand Cru vineyard Charmes-Chambertin. Mazoyeres runs adjacent to the road, one of only two Grand Crus in Burgundy to abut a major thoroughfare. Most of the growers with parcels in Mazoyeres also have parcels in Charmes-Chambertin, and for historical reasons they are legally allowed to use the name Charmes-Chambertin for the wines they produce in Mazoyeres. Many do so since Charmes-Chambertin is better known and widely admired. Still, several producers do sell their wines under the Mazoyeres name. They include Domaine Camus and Domaine Richard.

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.