Historical Context
Chambertin is probably the most prestigious name in red Burgundy right after the big names of Vosne Romanée. There is a term called “Le Roi Chambertin” which originates from Chambertin’s historic reputation as the greatest of all Burgundy vineyards.
There are no less then 9 Grand Crus in Gevrey (!) with Chambertin and Chambertin-Clos de Bèze the most complete and noble, but the other 7 are not far behind and often at a more attractive price point. This should not come as a surprise as all Gevrey Grand Crus are very close to each other in the mid slope (see map). There are slight differences in style and expression, which we have tried to summarize in the table below. Among the 7 other Grand Crus there is also an informal pecking order with Ruchottes and Griottes being the most revered, followed by Mazis, Latricieres and Chapelle. Charmes and Mazoyeres Chambertin have less prestige due to the heterogeneous results they produce, but as we saw tonight, in Burgundy producer often outshines terroir, a Charmes Chambertin took the first place.
So in our BYO tasting of the 7 appellations (which we called “Satellites Grand Cru” for the lack of a better term) we were fortunate that our participants did not hold back from reaching deep into their cellars and brought some of the fines producers this appellation has to offer. It became a true Burgfest and representative line-up of the Satellites.
Tasting Notes
2018 Blain-Gagnard Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Caillerets 93 Points
Expressive nose with yellow fruit, oak spices, quince and lemon. the generosity of the 2018 shines through, but without excess. They handled it well. I love the generosity combined with a phenolic finish.
2019 Domaine Morey-Coffinet Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru En Caillerets 95 Points
From Magnum. Expressive nose with popcorn, lemon and oak spices. Generous palate but 2019 elegance and freshness at the same time. A very complete, classy Chassagne.
Ready to go – 16 Grand Crus awaiting their inspection after a more than decent aperitif
Flight 1 – Charmes Chambertin
2009 Olivier Bernstein Charmes-Chambertin 90 Points
This 2009 shows a ripe, slightly oxidative bouquet of stewed strawberries, dried orange peel, and a touch of sous-bois. The palate is supple and caressing, with soft tannins and brisk acidity lending a certain tension, though the finish is marked by drying tannins and a hint of premature evolution. Not without charm, but the oxidative note detracts from its clarity.
2013 Hubert Lignier Charmes-Chambertin 93 Points
A more serious proposition, delivering aromas of black cherry, sandalwood, liquorice and warm earth. The palate is taut and structured, with firm, chalky tannins and a sapid, grippy finish. Deep and authoritative, this is a muscular interpretation of Charmes that will benefit from further bottle age.
2011 Bernard Dugat-Py Charmes-Chambertin 95 Points
This is showing beautifully, with a perfumed bouquet of raspberry, rose petal, toasty oak, and a hint of spice. The palate is refined and elegant, its velvety texture framed by gentle acidity. Seductive and accessible, this is a harmonious wine at peak.
Flight 2 – Charmes / Mazoyeres / Chapelle Chambertin
2013 Domaine Armand Rousseau Père et Fils Charmes-Chambertin 96 Points
An exquisite showing, the 2013 Charmes opens with a high-toned bouquet of rose petals, cranberry, orange zest, and sweet spice. The palate is effortless and aerial, with filigree tannins, racy acidity, and superb inner-mouth perfume. This is Rousseau at their most graceful – ethereal and complex.
2013 Domaine de la Vougeraie Charmes-Chambertin Les Mazoyeres 93 Points
Much darker and more brooding than the Rousseau next to it, the nose evokes black cherries, liquorice root, pine needle, and a pronounced whole-cluster character. The palate is dense and serious, with chewy tannins and a savoury undertone. Still unresolved but full of potential. Whole-bunch lovers will find much to admire.
2014 Domaine Perrot-Minot Chapelle-Chambertin 94 Points
A modern interpretation, offering polished aromas of ripe red fruit, floral pastille, and discreet oak. Supple and charming, with a creamy mid-palate and soft, resolved tannins. Not the most complex wine of the flight, but balanced, generous, and impeccably made.
Flight 3 – Ruchottes / Chapelle Chambertin
2013 Domaine Georges Mugneret-Gibourg Ruchottes-Chambertin 96 Points
The most tightly coiled wine in the flight, opening in the glass with dark cherry, graphite, pine forest and hints of star anise. The palate is dense and layered, with muscular structure and striking concentration. A Grand Cru in every sense, it deserves several more years in bottle.
2014 Domaine Armand Rousseau Père et Fils Ruchottes-Chambertin Clos des Ruchottes 97 Points
Hauntingly perfumed, with whole-cluster-inflected aromas of rose petal, clove, wild strawberry and wet stone. The palate is vibrant and precise, with racy acids and a long, saline finish. A more structured expression than the Charmes we had in the flight before, and clearly a wine of stature and aging potential. Good that we gave this a proper decant.
2004 Domaine Drouhin-Laroze Chapelle-Chambertin 92 Points
Distinctive and unapologetically green, the 2004 opens with aromas of tomato leaf, menthol and redcurrant. Lean and brisk on the palate, with a cooling herbal edge. The vintage character is fully on display here, and while divisive, it retains freshness and personality.
Flight 4 – Griotte / Latricières Chambertin
2011 Domaine Fourrier Griotte-Chambertin Vieille Vigne 96 Points
Explosively aromatic, with soaring notes of wild raspberry, cinnamon, and baking spices. The palate is delicate and lifted, a study in weightless intensity. A quintessential Griotte – light on its feet but long and perfumed on the finish. Utterly seductive.
2013 Joseph Drouhin Griotte-Chambertin 96 Points
Another archetypal Griotte, this offers sweet spices, cola, dried rose and cherries. Silky and seamless on the palate, with a touch more backbone than the Fourrier, yet still in that charming, transparent idiom. Elegant and complete. Early in its drinking window.
2014 Domaine Trapet Latricières-Chambertin 94 Points
Cool and mineral, showing notes of cranberry, forest floor, pine resin and wet stone. The palate is incisive, with racy acidity and a long, driving finish. A classic Latricières that is just beginning its drinking window. Give it a good decant.
2012 Faiveley Latricières-Chambertin 94 Points
Brooding and savoury, the 2012 reveals black cherry, liquorice, earth, and undergrowth. Firmly structured and youthfully reserved, this needs air or cellar time to show its best. A serious, masculine interpretation but without excess.
Flight 5 Mazis Chambertin
2010 Marchand & Tawse / Pascal Marchand Mazy-Chambertin 94 Points
More evolved than expected, showing ripe dark fruits, blood orange, and sweet spice. The acidity remains firm, though the tannins are beginning to dry slightly. There’s ample material here so no hurry with this.
2014 Lucien Le Moine Mazis-Chambertin 93 Points
A rich, almost opulent wine showing ripe blackberry, leather, and iodine. The bottle felt slightly advanced, lacking some of the freshness one would expect. I had bottles of this that were fresher and more precise.
2013 Faiveley Mazis-Chambertin 95 Points
A standout in the lineup, this shows redcurrant, menthol, crushed rock, and Asian spice. On the palate, it’s layered and complete, with fine tannins and bright acidity. A superb effort that underscores Mazis as one of Faiveley’s top cuvées—and still reasonably priced.
A line-up that did not disappoint, the big names came out on top with Faiveley confirming its wholesale makeover since the arrival of Erwan Faiveley in 2005 and technical director Jérôme Flous in 2007
| Group Rank | Wine |
| 1 | 2013 Armand Rousseau, Charmes Chambertin 2013 Mugneret-Gibourg, Ruchottes Chambertin |
| 3 | 2013 Armand Rousseau, Ruchottes Chambertin |
| 4 | 2013 Faiveley, Mazis Chambertin |
| 5 | 2011 Fourrier, Griotte Chambertin 2013 Joseph Drouhin, Griotte Chambertin |
| 7 | 2010 Marchand Tawse, Mazis Chambertin |
| 8 | 2013 Hubert Lignier, Charmes Chambertin 2011 Dugat-Py, Charmes Chambertin 2014 Perrot-Minot, Chapelle Chambertin 2012 Faiveley, Latricières Chambertin |
| 12 | 2014 Jean-Louis Trapet, Latricières Chambertin 2009 Olivier Bernstein, Charmes Chambertin 2014 Lucien Le Moine, Mazis Chambertin |
| 15 | 2013 Vougeraie, Mazoyeres Chambertin 2004 Drouhin-Laroze, Chapelle Chambertin |
Encores
We served a Grower Champagne to finish the evening and give a sneak preview what awaits us in the next month’s event.
NV Savart Champagne Premier Cru L’Accomplie Extra Brut Vieilles Vignes 95 Points
At the end of our Chambertin tasting as an outlook to the coming event – Grower Champagne – this famous Savart Cuvée did not disappoint. So fragrant, sweet spices, brioche, citrus raspberry, Pillowy mouth feel with a sappy finish.
Author: Christian Raubach, WSET III, FWS, WSG Champagne Master
May 2025