Charmes (Morgon Climat)

Charmes sits along the western edge of the Morgon AOC, within the commune of Villié-Morgon, on the slope running toward Régnié-Durette to the west. Its position places it on the western side of the appellation's geological divide, where the iron-rich schists of Côte du Py give way to lighter granite-derived soils. North of Charmes lies the Corcelette climat, also on a granitic substrate; Douby sits to the northeast, bordering Fleurie. Charmes is one of six lieux-dits the INAO recognizes for label use within Morgon, and producers may print 'Morgon Les Charmes' on the bottle in characters no larger than the AOC name itself.

• On the western edge of Morgon, in Villié-Morgon, on the slope toward Régnié-Durette
• Bordered by Corcelette to the north, with Douby further to the northeast near Fleurie
• One of six recognized Morgon climats permitted on the label
• Cadastral lieu-dit designation governed by INAO with character size capped at the AOC name

The Charmes climat is built on sandy, decomposed granite, locally referred to as roche pourrie or arènes. The parent rock is the same granite de Fleurie that runs through the neighboring Cru villages, a pink monzonitique granite with orthoclase and biotite that breaks down into a poor, free-draining substrate. The site includes some of the highest-elevation parcels in Morgon, with vines reaching toward 500 meters. The combination of sandy granite and altitude favors a fresher, more aromatic Gamay than the lower, schist-rich Côte du Py to the east.

• Sandy decomposed granite (arènes or roche pourrie) over a granite de Fleurie parent rock
• Pink monzonitique granite with orthoclase and biotite
• Poor, free-draining soils; some of the appellation's highest-elevation parcels (toward 500 meters)
• Lighter and sandier than the iron-rich schist of Côte du Py

Charmes typically yields a more perfumed and lifted style of Morgon than Côte du Py. The profile shows red fruit, florals such as violet and rose, and a clear granitic mineral lift carried by the cooler altitude and sandy soils. The granite framework gives the wines structure without the iron-density associated with the eastern climats. Bottlings often drink earlier than top Côte du Py while still rewarding medium-term cellaring. The style sits closer to neighboring Fleurie's perfumed Gamay than to the dense, ageworthy profile most often associated with the Morgon name.

• Perfumed and lifted; red fruit, violet, rose, and granitic mineral lift
• Lighter framework than Côte du Py, closer in profile to neighboring Fleurie
• Often approachable young; medium-term cellaring potential
• 100% Gamay Noir under Morgon AOC rules

Producers working Charmes parcels include Frédéric Sornin, Domaine de Boischampt, Bret Brothers and La Soufrandière (with around one hectare in the climat), Quentin Harel (a one-hectare parcel of roughly 80-year-old vines acquired in 2011), Château de Bellevue, Domaine Vignes du Maynes (Julien Guillot), Domaine Bonne Tonne, and Ropiteau Frères. Parcels within the climat tend to be small, and several producers vinify Charmes as a single-climat cuvée.