2014 Taupenot-Merme Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru

Taupenot Merme

France / Burgundy / Taupenot Merme

December, 2015

Neal Martin

Wine Advocate

93-95 points

The 2014 Charmes Chambertin Grand Cru has a pretty, quite floral bouquet with wilted rose petal infusing the brambly red berry fruit, nicely defined and more expressive than the Corton Rognet at the moment. The palate is succulent and fresh on the entry with a gentle grip in the mouth, quite saline and structured; it is more Mazoyères than Charmes in some ways, demonstrating impressive density and backbone on the finish. This is a sublime expression of the vineyard, a great wine with a long future ahead.

January, 2016

Stephen Tanzer

Vinous Media

92-94 points

Medium red. Sexy, high-toned nose offers scents of black raspberry, crushed cherry, rose petal and smoked meat. Sappy red berry and rose petal flavours boast terrific intensity and energy without any undue weight. Finishes with outstanding rising length, the firm tannins outlasted by fruits and flowers. A lovely Charmes. This vineyard was partly replanted in 1998 but was originally planted at the same time as Taupenot's Mazoyères--and the Mazoyères of Taupenot's cousin Christophe Perrot-Minot (their mothers are sisters).

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About Taupenot Merme

Brother-and-sister team Virginie and Romain are at the helm at this domaine. It has 13 hectares on the Côte de Beaune and the Côte de Nuits, with grands crus including Clos des Lambrays, Charmes-Chambertin, Corton-Rognet and Mazoyères-Chambertin. These seventh generation winegrowers are typical of the new crop of young Burgundian vignerons who are realising the full potential of priceless family vineyard parcels through sensitive viticulture and thoughtful winemaking. All grapes are de-stemmed, with 25% new oak used for the village wines and 40% for grand and premier cru. Virginie looks after sales while Romain works the cellar, producing structured, self-assured Burgundy that expresses the vineyards well. The wines are getting better and better.

About

Seventh-generation Romain Taupenot is in charge of winemaking at Domaine Taupenot-Merme, aided by his sister Virginie. It's widely and correctly acknowledged that the estate, which has been working along organic principles since 2001, is on the up and up in terms of quality. Its results from the 2006 and 2007 vintages are drinking beautifully, and Romain has triumphed against all odds in the difficult vintages of 2012 and 2013.