Domaine Taupenot-Merme : Charmes-Chambertin Grand cru 2013

Characteristics and Tasting Advice for the Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru 2013 from Domaine Taupenot-Merme

Tasting

Color

The color reveals a red hue characteristic of the vintage.

Nose

The nose initially shows slightly meaty nuances that gradually evolve with aeration toward floral iris notes. The bouquet then reveals aromas of wild strawberry and blueberry, accompanied by hints of undergrowth, forest floor, and subtle spices.

Palate

On the palate, the wine seduces with its silky texture and refined structure. The attack reveals a brilliant freshness carried by an energetic acidity that defines the character of the vintage. The mid-palate offers remarkable depth with red fruit flavors enhanced by mineral and herbal notes. The finish stands out for its exceptional length, combining linear precision with silky tannins, leaving lingering aromas of cherry, saline minerality, and delicate spices.

Food and Wine Pairings

This Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru 2013 pairs beautifully with feathered game such as duck, partridge, or pheasant. It also matches superbly with herb-roasted lamb with Mediterranean herbs, rare red meats, as well as aged cheeses such as Comté, Gruyère, or Époisses.

Serving and Cellaring

This Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru 2013 can be enjoyed now and will continue to improve until around 2043.

An elegant and expressive Burgundy Grand Cru

The estate

Founded in 1963 through the union of Jean Taupenot and Denise Merme, the Domaine Taupenot-Merme carries on a family winemaking tradition dating back several centuries in Burgundy. Since 1998, Romain and Virginie Taupenot, representing the ninth generation, have run this independent estate of around thirteen hectares spread across twenty appellations in the Côte de Nuits and the Côte de Beaune. Based in Morey-Saint-Denis, the estate has practiced certified organic viticulture since 2001 and favors a minimalist approach in the cellar to preserve the authentic expression of each terroir.

The vineyard

Charmes-Chambertin covers around thirty hectares between the communes of Morey-Saint-Denis and Gevrey-Chambertin, in the immediate vicinity of Griotte-Chambertin. Domaine Taupenot-Merme owns 0.57 hectare within this grand cru, located mid-slope. Clay-limestone soils with rocky outcrops and gravelly elements give the wine its distinctive personality. The southeast exposure provides optimal sunlight, while the topography allows for the circulation of cool air, preserving freshness. Vines planted in 1958, 1968, and 1998 offer a balance between physiological ripeness and vigor.

The vintage

The 2013 vintage in Burgundy proved demanding, with problematic flowering followed by significant disease pressure during the summer due to persistent humidity. Rain in early October further complicated the situation before milder temperatures at the end of the month allowed full ripening. The late harvest ultimately produced grapes with optimal phenolic maturity despite the climatic challenges. Plots farmed organically showed greater resilience and earlier ripening. This vintage is defined by its freshness, precision, and terroir expression rather than sheer power.

Winemaking and aging

The grapes for the Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru 2013 are harvested by hand and then destemmed before undergoing a cold maceration of around seven days. Fermentation is carried out with indigenous yeasts, following an approach that favors infusion rather than intensive extraction. Aging takes place in barrels for twelve to fourteen months with around forty percent new oak, without racking to maintain contact with fine lees. The wine is then transferred to stainless steel tanks for an additional three months before bottling, without fining or filtration.

Grape variety

100% Pinot Noir