2016 Louis Latour Charmes Chambertin Burgundy Red

2016 Louis Latour Charmes Chambertin

98 JS

Featured Review

This is a phenomenal wine that reminds me why I love wine. It’s a snowball effect. It has a full body with ultra-fine tannins. It just rolls off the palate. A phenomenal finish. The purity, focus and balance to this is mind-blowing. Three barrels. Try in 2024. James Suckling

James Suckling | 98 JS

Type of Wine	Burgundy Red : If you have a craving for some beautiful, mind-expanding Pinot Noir, few regions can match the talent and consistency of Burgundy. The grape almost seems like it evolved for this very region, and its essence will stimulate your senses and arouse your imagination. Drink deep and experience almost spiritual enlightenment.
Varietal	Pinot Noir : As one of the oldest grape varieties in the world, Pinot Noir has a long and storied history which began more than 2,000 years ago. This story spans form the time of ancient Roman influence to modern day trailblazing; Old World and New World grape growing. It also involves the most unlikely of “characters” from Cistercian Monks to the Holy Pope and even Hollywood actors; each playing a part in the development of the Noble Pinot Noir grape variety. For a grape that appears simple on the surface, it may be one of the most complex varietals on earth, playing a major role in the formation of some of the most profound and distinguished winegrowing regions in the world. Pinot Noir’s exact origin remains relatively unknown as it is far too ancient to have been recorded precisely. It is thought to have been cultivated in the rocky hillsides of Burgundy by Roman hands as early as the 1st Century AD. At that time, Roman agronomist Columella identified and tasted wine that very much seems to be consistent with today’s description of Pinot Noir. There are complex theories on how either the Greeks or Romans took cuttings of Vitis Vinefera (Pinot Noir) from the area of Transcaucasia (modern day Turkey, Iraq and Iran) and brought the wild vines to France. Speculation aside, what we do know is that the wine-loving ancient Romans spread their dominion far and wide, leaving grapevines in their wake. Their innovative devotion to cultivating wine in French soil set in motion, nurtured, and influenced the winegrowing culture that we very much enjoy today. Around 1000 AD, long after the dismantling of the Roman Empire, the history of Pinot Noir in Burgundy begins to have clarity, greatly due to the extraordinary record keeping of the Cistercian Order of Monks (formed from the Benedictine Order). The Cistercian Monks began gaining authority outside the area of what we know today as Dijon. Devoted to hard labor and prayer, the monks began cultivating the rocky hillsides of early Burgundy, painstakingly documenting detailed records of their vineyards. Centuries of specifying their practices, describing exactly how and exactly where vines thrived or failed and how the resulting wine tasted, the Cistercian Monks unwittingly created the world’s first harvest reports while simultaneously inventing the idea of terroir. These records and the notion that wines reflect their growing locales, permanently shaped the fundamentals of winegrowing and making terroir a critical concept. This concept really gained attention when Pope Urban V refused to return the Papal court to Rome from Avignon due to unavailability of Burgundy wines south of the Alps. The lack of commerce routes inhibiting the Burgundy wine trade did not affect the Cistercian Order of Monks as they were driven towards higher quality and excellence through religious devotion instead of monetary gain. Both the outward remarks of the Pope and diligent efforts by the monks helped place Burgundy in a class of its own. Pinot Noir would eventually spread its wings and infiltrate Champagne, Loire and Alsace, Provence, Sancerre and Languedoc, finding hospitable terroir and new purposes along the way. From bubbles to “pink” wine, it adapted to the soil, revealing the terroir through the wine itself. The early developments and manipulation of the Pinot Noir grape within France was a precursor for the inevitable. The varietal spread through Europe and eventually making a trip around the globe landing in the Willamette Valley, Oregon (planted in 1965 by David Lett). The Pinot Noir grape quickly found a niche in Willamette Valley where it shares the same latitude of 45 degrees north, experiencing similar sunlight as well as a similar cooler climate to that of Burgundy. A few years later it would be introduced to California where it found terroir hotspots in both cool and surprisingly hotter climates, thus spreading to Napa, Sonoma Coast, Russian River Valley, Carneros among others, birthing New World Pinot Noir winemaking. And, of course, there was the Pinot craze that occurred after the release of the movie Sideways which manifested “Pinot snobs” around America. The 2004 American comedy set the market on fire, increasing sales of Pinot Noir in the state of California by 170 percent. The varietal of Pinot Noir thrives in cool climates with terroir consisting of marl and limestone soils of extremely variable composition that mimics that of its ancestral home of Burgundy. For a grape that is notoriously difficult to grow, Pinot Noir is ubiquitous in winegrowing regions around the world, spanning 115,000 hectares. It may be a fussy grape, but when planted in the right location and climate, it reveals the qualities of its host terroir in many different manners. The Noble Pinot Noir grape has greatly impacted the world of winegrowing and making while birthing the concept of terroir; from fruit forward Pinots produced in warmer California localities to New World Oregon wines with Burgundian nuances to Rose in Provence, bubbly in Champagne to the infamous Domaine de la Romanee Conti and its eye watering prices and unrivaled quality. Pinot Noir has long lived the quiet, elegant lifestyle giving Old World winemakers and consumers an ethereal pleasure. New World winemaking has granted it the opportunity for worldwide consumption on any budget and creating the Pinot Phenom. The varietal is now enjoying the best of both “worlds.”
Country	France : Wine is the lifeblood that courses through the country of France, pulsing with vigorous pride and determination. Viticulture is not just a hobby or an occupation in France; it is a passion, a cherished tradition that has been passed down through generations of wine stained hands. Winemaking is a beloved art that has been ingrained in the culture, an aptitude instilled in sons by fathers and the hallmark for which France’s reputation was built, allowing it to be renowned as, arguably, the most important wine producing country in the world. For centuries, France has been producing wines of superior quality and in much greater quantity than any other country in the world. It boasts some of the most impressive wine regions, coveted vineyards and prestigious wines on earth. The regions of Bordeaux, Burgundy, Rhone, Sauternes and Champagne have become the benchmark, for which others aspire to become. Legendary producers such as Chateaux Margaux, Domaine De La Romanee Conti, Chapoutier, d’Yquem and Dom Perignon are idolized world-wide. France has stamped its name on nearly every style of wine, from the nectar-like sweet Sauternes to hedonistic Chateauneuf Du Papes classic Bordeaux and Burgundy, to its sparkling dominance in Champagne. Many of the most infamous grape varietals in the world, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay originated in France and are not only beloved, but utilized in the creation of some of the greatest wines on earth. French wine production commands the attention of the wine market year after year. With over 860,000 hectares under vine, and numbers close to 50 million hectoliters of wine produced annually, France dominates the market and sets the standard for not only product quality, but also quantity. France’s many contributions to the world of wine have been absolutely indispensable. The country is the originator of the term “Premier Cru,” coined the term Terroir (a French term so complex there is no literal translation) and has laid the blueprint for a structured appellation system, which others have implemented in their own countries. French vineyard techniques and winemaking practices are mimicked world-wide. California vintners have been replicating Rhone style wines for decades, South America has adopted the French varietal of Malbec and countries around the world are imitating Burgundian styled Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. With vast diversity in terroir, France is home to some of the most hospitable winegrowing locations on earth. The combination of topography, geology, climate, rainfall and even the amount of sunlight combined with the long historical tradition of winegrowing and making, has allowed the vintners of France to not only hone their skills, but learn from nature to create a product that like the world in which it resides… is very much alive.
Region	Burgundy : Situated just west of the beautiful river Saone, the hills and valleys of Burgundy stand as they have stood since medieval times, and you can almost hear the cheerful chatter of vineyard workers from miles away. Indeed, France's identity in the world of wine would be incomplete without the inclusion of Burgundy and its many viticultural achievements. Every little sub-region of the area boasts a unique soil composition, which, when combined with the area's climate conditions, creates an incredibly diverse and appealing selection of fine wines. Every new bottle is an adventure of its own, and a snapshot of its birthplace. You could spend years sampling great Burgundian wines, and you would still have a lot to learn, which is what makes the region so compelling for veterans and novice wine lovers alike. No matter what your taste in wines may be, there is a winery in Burgundy that could mesmerize your mind and make your senses scream with joy. And what better way to spend a comfy summer afternoon with your friends and family than with a classy bottle from some of the region's most reputable wineries? From the noble slopes of Cote d'Or to the flatlands near various settlements, let us help you on your journey as we explore Burgundy's most delicious and renowned wines.
Subregion	Cote de Nuits
Appellation	Gevrey Chambertin
Climat/Vineyard	Charmes Chambertin
Cru	Grand Cru

Producer	Louis Latour : The Cote d’Or is the beating heart of Burgundy’s winegrowing region, where the historic and ancestral tradition of winemaking is more an art than it is a trade. Producers, such as Louis Latour, create masterpieces with passion and generational talent from the very finest plots in all of Burgundy. The exceptional terroir of the Cote d’Or makes even the smallest plots of land extremely prized and coveted, allowing for the production of some of the most exclusive wines in the world. Domaine Louis Latour covers 48 hectares of vineyard, including 27 hectares of Grand Cru, and is the largest holding of Grand Cru vineyards in all of Burgundy. This is quite significant, given Grand Cru is the highest classification a vineyard can be granted. It is the vineyard land that is classified and not its owner or producer. This is in contrast with Bordeaux where it’s the producers that are classified, regardless of whether they buy or sell part of their vineyard. This makes vineyard land in Burgundy extremely important. The domaine’s impressive holdings span from the red Grand Cru of Chambertin and Romanee Saint-Vivant in the Cote de Nuit to the white Grand Cru of Corton Charlemagne and Chevalier Montrachet in the Cote de Beaune. The heart and soul, however, is centered in Aloxe-Corton at the historic, family home and their flag-ship Chateau Corton Grancey (built in 1749). As imposing as this is, it does not even take into consideration, the negociant side of the business (Maison Louis Latour) which includes in its portfolio wines, from Ardeche (Rhone) and the Var (Provence), while they also own Simmonet-Febvre in Chablis and Henry Fessy in Beaujolais, making it one of the largest wine companies in Burgundy. The creation of Maison Louis Latour took place in 1797 and over the course of its long and illustrious history, has acquired some of the finest vineyards in Burgundy; from the acquisition of Chateau Corton Grancey in 1891 to Grand Cru in Cote de Nuits in 1900, building its reputation and upholding the legacy of the family name. The history of the Louis Latour name goes back even further, to 1731 when their first vineyards were acquired in some of Burgundy’s top sites. Cooperage (the making of wine casks or barrels) had already been a family business at the time. The family has continued this tradition and is the only producer in Burgundy to make their own oak barrels. Today, Maison Louis Latour is managed by the 7th Louis Latour, representing the 11th generation, a tradition and skill that has been passed down for over two centuries. Innovation has been at the core of Maison Louis Latour since its inception and today are at the forefront of wine research in Burgundy. This research investigates the impact of vine-growing and winemaking on the climate, environment and geological complexities of each parcel and the genetic diversity of the vines in their vineyards. Traditional viticultural methods are still used by Latour. Vines on steep slopes are ploughed using horses, as the terrain has limited access for machinery. This method avoids compacting the earth and allows the vine and root system to plunge deeply into the soil to better regulate water intake. The use of cover crops demonstrates Latour’s desire to protect the environment. These forage crops grown in between rows helps to combat soil erosion and are rich in organic matter. This is essential during periods of heavy rain. The terroir of the Cote d’Or is not only the finest in Burgundy, but is also some of the most diverse in all of France. This unique attribute allows the characteristics of each parcel to be expressed through the single variety wines. In Burgundy, all red wines are made from Pinot Noir and the whites from Chardonnay. Respect for terroir is one of the fundamental values of Maison Louis Latour, who have practiced logical and sustainable agriculture for almost 20 years. Understanding and interpreting the geological complexity of each parcel is indispensable and is the reason that they regularly undertake soil analysis of entire slices of earth in order to study the interaction between terroir and wines. Healthy soil is imperative for the development of the vines, which is why Maison Louis Latour uses specific organic techniques to combat vine pests and diseases. These substances also reduce the need for pesticides. Latour makes their own compost from vine pruning’s and grape skins; a byproduct of pressing, thus eliminating the use of chemical fertilizers. Noble terroir is central to a great wine, however to fully achieve this, the work of a highly skilled team is essential. Extreme attention to detail is required at every stage to ensure the right decisions are made. This is especially true in pruning and canopy management. The philosophy has always been to maximize the quality of grapes to produce great wines. They believe 90% of the work is done in the vineyard; however the remaining 10% is crucial to success. Care and detail seen in the vineyards are carried over into the winemaking where they are committed to traditional and manual techniques. All domaine wines are made in Aloxe-Corton at the beautiful Corton Grancey Cuverie. The red Grand Cru Wines of Louis Latour include (but not limited to) Chambertin, Clos de la Roche, Clos Vougeot, Corton and the unique and exclusive Corton Grancey. The wines are refined, elegant and distinguished thanks to finely judged winemaking that extracts fruit and tannins in perfect balance, bringing out the delicate qualities of Pinot Noir with all its subtle aromas. Latour’s white Grand Cru’s are structured, rich and well balanced, revealing their terroir through the power of Chardonnay while retaining a touch of acidity to deliver freshness and aromatic complexity. These wines include Corton Charlemagne, Montrachet, Batard Montrachet, and Chablis, amongst many others. Every level of wine from Grand Cru to Villages is treated with great respect for the natural rhythm of the vines helping Latour to make wines in harmony with nature, with the aim of offering full expression to the elegance and the balance of the greatest terroirs in Burgundy. Maison Louis Latour is a massive operation which produces around 130 separate wines and nearly 8.5 million bottles each year. All wines are bottled in the same distinctive, heavy but elegant bottle, from the most basic to the most expensive.