2006 Jean-Michel Guillon Mazis-Chambertin

Domaine Jean-Michel Guillon was started in 1980 when Jean-Michel, whose background was in aeronautics, decided to move to Gevrey-Chambertin and become a winemaker. He slowly acquired vineyards and winemaking skills and today owns or leases 32 acres. He works with his eldest son, Alexis, and he also has two younger sons, which is why his recent vintages carry the label Domaine J-M Guillon et Fils. The domaine has Grand Cru parcels in Clos de Vougeot and Mazis-Chambertin, and Premier Crus in Gevrey-Chambertin and Morey-Saint-Denis. There are also village wines. Guide Hachette, one of France’s leading wine reviews, has noted that Guillon pere et fils “produce wines which are regularly mentioned in the Guide Hachette, often in the top few.”

Mazis-Chambertin is a 22.4 acre Grand Cru vineyard near the village of Gevrey-Chambertin. The name Mazis is sometimes spelled with a “y” or without the final “s.” The soil is shallow and somewhat rocky, and the wine made from this vineyard is considered excellent. The legendary Lalou Bize of Maison Leroy is one of the smaller landholders with about .6 of an acre. There are some 30 proprietors with parcels in Mazis-Chambertin. The largest are Hospices de Beaune, with 4.38 acres; Bernard Dugat-Py, with 3.05 acres; and Joseph Faiveley, with 3 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.