1999 Christophe Roumier Charmes-Chambertin

Christophe Roumier is the grandson of Georges Roumier, founder of the legendary Georges Roumier domaine. Christophe took over Domaine Georges Roumier in 1990 when his father, Jean-Marie, retired. In 1994 Christophe also started leasing Grand Cru vineyards in Gevrey-Chambertin, Charmes-Chambertin and Ruchottes-Chambertin. He bottles these wines under his own name. He also leases Chambolle Villages and Les Cras Premier Cru parcels and bottles them under his name. Roumier is a highly regarded winemaker, whether he is bottling under the family label or his own. Robert M. Parker Jr. has noted that the Georges Roumier “is undoubtedly one of the finest sources of classic, long-lived red burgundies….All aspects of the estate’s winemaking are completely traditional.”

Charmes-Chambertin is a 78-acre Grand Cru vineyard in Gevrey-Chambertin that traditionally includes the acreage of nearby Mazoyeres-Chambertin. For nearly 200 years the growers of Mazoyeres have been legally allowed to sell their wines under the more famous name of Charmes-Chambertin, and virtually all of them do. Charmes-Chambertin is the largest of the Gevrey-Chambertin Grand Crus, and it generally has an excellent reputation. The slope of the vineyard is gentle and the surface soil poor. But producers including Joseph Roty, Christian Serafin, Domaine Dujac, Faiveley and Joseph Drouhin are acclaimed for their Charmes Chambertin. Principal landholders are Camus, with 14.75 acres; Perrot-Minot, 4 acres; and Armand Rousseau, 3.5 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.