Terroir Insight: Domaine Denis Bachelet Charmes-Chambertin

Charmes-Chambertin is a both large and diverse Grand Cru, and while some wines from Charmes-Chambertin are tremendous, some are sadly also amongst the lesser Grand Crus produced – to be very polite.

Expressions like “Charmes du Gare” .. indicating that the plot is close to the railroad tracks … (located well on the other side of RN974) are familiar – and addressing the true problem – not all wines made from Charmes-Chambertin are worthy of the Grand Cru status.

On the positive side there are however also tremendous wines made from Charmes-Chambertin, made by great producers and houses – showing that at least some parts of this large Grand Cru are well worthy of the Grand Cru rating.

One of the best, the most acclaimed and rarest of the lot is the Charmes-Chambertin from Denis Bachelet – a truly gorgeous wine – difficult to find but well worth the effort … a delightful Charmes by all standards.

So lets take a closer look at the Denis Bachelet Charmes-Chambertin – what is so special?, and does the location of the plots explain why it’s such a magnificent wine?.

Charmes-Chambertin and Mazoyéres-Chambertin

Charmes-Chambertin include two main sections, one called Aux Charmes (12.24 ha), located below Chambertin and the Route des Grands Crus and south of Griottes-Chambertin.

The other part Mazoyères ou Charmes (18.59 ha) – located south of Aux Charmes and below Latricieres Chambertin and Gevrey-Chambertin Aux Combottes. The Mazoyères section stretches from Route des Grands Crus and in some places all the way down to RN974. The wines from the Mazoyères section can be sold as both Mazoyères-Chambertin and Charmes-Chambertin.