Domaine Taupenot-Merme : Mazoyères-Chambertin Grand Cru 2018

Tasting characteristics and recommendations for the Mazoyères-Chambertin 2018 from Domaine Taupenot-Merme

Tasting

Appearance
The wine shows a deep ruby-red hue with subtle garnet highlights.

Nose
The nose reveals fine aromatic complexity, with notes of ripe red fruits such as cherry and strawberry, evolving toward black-fruit expressions like blackcurrant and black cherry. Spicy nuances of white pepper and licorice accompany floral touches of violet and rose. Mineral notes of crushed stone complete the bouquet, reflecting the influence of limestone soils.

Palate
On the palate, the wine is powerful and velvety. Fine tannins provide structure without harshness. The palate unveils concentrated flavors of red and black fruits, alongside subtle notes of chocolate, coffee, and earth. Lively acidity preserves freshness and balances the wine’s richness. The finish lingers at length with distinctive mineral and peppery impressions.

Food and wine pairings

This Mazoyères-Chambertin 2018 is a perfect match for roasted red meats, notably lamb in sauce or rib of beef. It also pairs beautifully with poultry prepared in a red-wine sauce, grilled feathered game, or characterful soft-ripened cheeses. Dishes featuring wild mushrooms or truffle also make excellent pairings.

Serving and cellaring

The Mazoyères-Chambertin 2018 is best enjoyed at a temperature between 13 and 15°C. Using a Burgundy-style glass with a generous bowl allows its aromatic complexity to be fully appreciated.

A powerful yet elegant Burgundy Grand Cru

The estate

The Domaine Taupenot-Merme was established in 1963 through the union of Jean Taupenot and Denise Merme, bringing together the family vineyards of Saint-Romain and Morey-Saint-Denis. Since 1998, Romain Taupenot, representing the ninth generation, has run the estate alongside his sister Virginie. Based in the heart of the Côte de Nuits in Burgundy, the estate spans 13 hectares across twenty prestigious appellations, including four grands crus and six premiers crus. Practicing organic viticulture since 2001 and certified EcoCert since 2024, Domaine Taupenot-Merme stands out for its terroir-respectful approach and a minimalist winemaking philosophy that favors the authentic expression of each parcel.

The vineyard

The Mazoyères-Chambertin is a grand cru located in the commune of Gevrey-Chambertin, in the Côte de Nuits. Domaine Taupenot-Merme’s parcel covers 0.9 hectares of vines planted in 1959 on clay-limestone soils. The terroir features a complex geological makeup, with rocky substrates on the upper section and clay-limestone soils on the lower part, stemming from Jurassic formations. This geological diversity gives the wine its remarkable structure and signature minerality. The vines, nearly sixty years old at the time of the 2018 harvest, naturally yield concentrated grapes thanks to a deeply developed root system.

The vintage

The 2018 vintage offered generally favorable conditions in Burgundy. In the Côte de Nuits, the year delivered a remarkable balance between freshness and grape ripeness. Climatic conditions encouraged optimal berry maturation, achieving fine aromatic concentration while preserving the fruit’s natural acidity.

Winemaking and aging

The Mazoyères-Chambertin 2018 grapes were harvested by hand in small crates and carefully sorted. After complete destemming, the berries underwent a cold soak at between 8 and 10°C for 8 to 10 days. Alcoholic fermentation then took place over 7 to 9 days in temperature-controlled stainless-steel tanks with indigenous yeasts, with manual punch-downs until mid-fermentation. The wine was aged for 15 to 18 months in lightly toasted French oak barrels, 45% of which were new oak. Bottling was carried out without filtration or fining after a settling period in tank of around three months.

Grape variety

100% Pinot Noir