2008 Olivier Bernstein Meursault Charmes

Olivier Bernstein is a small negociant in Beaune. It was created in 2007 by Olivier Bernstein, who gave up a career in music management to pursue winemaking. He earned a degree in viticulture in Beaune, then in 2002 purchased a 20-acre wine estate in Roussillon, where he made wines under the Mas de la Deveze label. But his interest in Burgundy took him back to Beaune, where he now makes very limited amounts of Grand and Premier Crus from parcels in Chambertin, Bonnes-Mares, Mazis-Chambertin, Clos de la Roche, Clos Vougeot, Gevrey-Chambertin and Chambolle-Musigny.

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.