Les Charmes

Les Charmes occupies the lower slopes of the Côte de Beaune just south of the village of Meursault, covering 31 hectares and holding the distinction of being the commune's largest Premier Cru. It is classified under the Meursault Premier Cru appellation within Burgundy's AOC hierarchy. The vineyard is divided into two distinct lieux-dits: Charmes-Dessus, the upper portion, and Charmes-Dessous, the lower section closer to the valley floor. Charmes-Dessus is consistently regarded as producing wines of greater complexity and concentration, benefiting from its higher position on the slope.

• 31 hectares total, the largest Premier Cru in Meursault
• Charmes-Dessus sits higher and produces the more serious wines
• Charmes-Dessous occupies the lower, flatter ground
• Classified as Meursault Premier Cru AOC

The vineyard faces east to south-southeast at elevations between 245 and 260 metres, a relatively low slope position compared to other Meursault Premiers Crus. Soils are calcareous clay with limestone and marl, and they shift notably across the vineyard: the upper Charmes-Dessus section features thinner, stonier soils, while the lower Charmes-Dessous section has deeper, richer earth. A layer of broken limestone bedrock underlies the site. The climate is oceanic-continental, with warm summers averaging 20.3°C in July, cold winters at 2.7°C in January, and annual precipitation of 912 to 938 mm. This combination of soil depth variation and good sun exposure contributes to the vineyard's signature richness and approachability.

• Calcareous clay over broken limestone bedrock
• Upper section: thin, stony soils; lower section: deeper and richer
• Elevation 245-260 metres, east to south-southeast aspect
• Average annual temperature 11.2°C with warm, sunny summers

Les Charmes is one of Meursault's oldest and most celebrated vineyard sites, with a history stretching back to the medieval period. Monks from the Abbey of Cîteaux tended vineyards in the area from the 11th century onward, establishing the foundations of viticulture that still define the Côte de Beaune today. The name itself carries two competing explanations: it may derive from charme, the French word for hornbeam tree, which once grew in the area; or it may reference the charm of the vineyard itself, said to be easy to cultivate thanks to its sunny, well-oriented exposure. Over centuries, winegrowers identified Les Charmes as a site of distinctive character, and it became central to Meursault's reputation as one of Burgundy's finest white wine communes.

• Cistercian monks farmed the vineyards from the 11th century
• Name may derive from hornbeam trees or the ease of cultivation
• One of the oldest and most historically significant sites in Meursault
• Contributed to Meursault's prestige as a white Burgundy benchmark since medieval times

Les Charmes produces full-bodied Chardonnay defined by generosity and roundness rather than tension or austerity. Expect buttery, nutty flavors underpinned by honey notes and floral overtones, with a supple, approachable texture that gives the wine early drinking appeal. In comparison to other Meursault Premiers Crus, the style sits between the steely precision of Perrières and the spicy complexity of Genevrières. The depth of character varies between the two sub-zones, with Charmes-Dessus offering greater concentration. The vineyard is worked by an impressive roster of producers including Comte Lafon, François Mikulski, Dominique Lafon, Bouchard Père et Fils, Louis Jadot, Maison Joseph Drouhin, Château de Meursault, and Albert Bichot.

• Generous, round, and supple style with honey, butter, and nut flavors
• More approachable young than Perrières; less spice-driven than Genevrières
• Charmes-Dessus typically produces more concentrated, complex wines
• Represented by a wide range of top Burgundy négociants and domaines