Chambertin
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Chambertin [shahm-behr-TAN] is a Grand Cru vineyard located in the village of Gevrey-Chambertin in the Côte de Nuits district of France's Burgundy region.
This 32-acre pinot noir vineyard adjoins a 38-acre parcel called Clos de Bèze, which is also a grand cru vineyard and whose wine may use Chambertin AC or Chambertin-Clos de Bèze AC on their labels. Chambertin may not be called Chambertin-Clos de Bèze, however. The Clos de Bèze vineyard was initially cleared and planted back in the 7th century by monks from the Abbey of Bèze, which owned the land. Legend has it that it was not until the 12th century that Chambertin was planted by a Monsieur Bertin, who felt that he could also make good wines if he grew the same grape varieties as his famous next door neighbor. His vineyard was called Champ de Bertin ("Bertin's field") and later shortened to Chambertin.
The Chambertin wines were one of Napoleon's favorites and it is said that he insisted that they be available to him even during his various military campaigns. As with most of Burgundy's vineyards, both Chambertin and Clos de Bèze have had numerous owners, twenty-three and eighteen respectively. Unfortunately, quality varies from producer to producer and, although Chambertin has been called "King of Wines," less accomplished vintners do not make wines that live up to that reputation. The quality of wines from Clos de Bèze is considered higher and more consistent than those from Chambertin. The best wines from these two vineyards are quite powerful. They have concentrated fruit flavors, intense, rich, perfumed aromas, and long aging capabilities.
