2001 Michel Coutoux Meursault Charmes

Michel Coutoux is the son-in-law of Michel Niellon, long-time proprietor of Domaine Michel Niellon in Chassagne-Montrachet. Coutoux has made Niellon’s wines for some time, but Coutoux has also opened a negociant business under his own name. Coutoux uses purchased fruit for his negociant wines and makes only white wines. Clive Coates has written that Maison Michel Coutoux’s wines “are generally very good.”

Les Charmes, at 78 acres, is Meursault’s largest Premier Cru vineyard. Like its neighboring Premier Crus, Les Genevrieres and Les Perrieres, is is south of the commune of Meursault and very close to Puligny-Montrachet. Since Meursault lacks a Grand Cru, Meursault’s reputation for excellence is based on the Premier Crus, particularly the whites. Les Charmes abuts Puligny-Montrachet. Burgundy writer Clive Coates writes that “there is an attractive, soft flowery character to a Charmes: peach blossom, delicately nutty, gently honeyed.”

This white variety originated in Burgundy, but is now grown around the world. Its flexibility to thrive in many regions translates to wide flavor profile in the market. Chardonnay is commonly used in making Champagne and sparkling wines.