1993 Domaine des Chezeaux Chambertin

Domaine des Chezeaux is a 10-acre domaine in Burgundy’s Cote de Nuits. It has Grand Cru parcels in Griotte-Chambertin, Chambertin and Clos Saint-Denis, as well as several Premier Crus. The domain is owned by Chantal Nemes-Mercier, who inherited it from her father in 2000. She leases the parcels to several well-known winemakers, including Laurent Ponsot and Rene Leclerc. After 2002 labels for Domaine des Chezeaux note which of the “metayage” sharecropper/winemakers is responsible for each wine. Before 2002 it was not always clear who made which wine.

Chambertin is a 32.5 acre Grand Cru vineyard in the Gevrey-Chambertin appellation. More than 25 proprietors own parcels, and some parcels are as small as about 50 square yards. The famous vineyard gets its name from a 7th century peasant, Monsieur Bertin. The name is assumed to come from the phrase “champ Bertin,” or Bertin’s field. Chambertin has an altitude that varies from 275 to 300 meters and is tucked under the Montagne de la Combe-Grisard, sheltering the site from strong winds. The soil is limestone, though there is also clay and gravel. Principal proprietors by acreage owned are Armand Rousseau, 5.38 acres; Jean and Jean-Louis Trapet, 4.75 acres; and Rossignol-Trapet, 4 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.