Proof That This Wine Is Hand Made
Posted On October 14, 2009 at 4:35 pm in Burgundy
Recently, I spent some time with one of my producers, Jean-Pierre Charton in the village of Mercurey in Burgundy. I’ve visited many times so it was no surprise that he had come straight from the vineyards and his hands were covered in dirt and grime so we exchange greetings without a handshake. With about 20 acres of vines he and his son do all the vineyard work almost entirely on their own. There are few shortcuts available for tasks like correctly pruning the vines, limiting the number of buds on each branch and conducting green harvests. Charton and son Vincent who recently graduated from the Lycée Viticole in Beaune do this difficult work by hand.
In his cellars we tasted his 2008 wines including his Premier Cru, Clos de Roi Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, Mercurey Vieilles Vignes and Bourgogne Pinot Noir from barrels, as well as the limited remains of the 2007 vintage in bottle. He’s rightfully very proud of his wines and enjoys tasting them as much as I do. Often he simply smiles and nods his head acknowledging that weather conditions and the hard work in the vineyards came together in the end to make a great wine.
Read a full profile of Domaine Jean-Pierre Charton here.
Jean-Pierre Charton, Mercury Vieilles Vignes 2006: This red is marked by its beautiful silky texture, a foil for the flavors of sweet cherry, spice, leather and a hint of truffle. Rich, this is softening nicely and begs for roast chicken, with a good firm finish. Drink now through 2014. Wine Spectator, 90 points