Mazis-Chambertin Grand Cru

The Chambertin name has been in documented use since the 13th century, and the broader cluster of Gevrey Grand Crus that take their name from it received formal AOC Grand Cru recognition on 31 July 1937. The etymology of 'Mazis' traces to the old Burgundian word 'mas,' the ancestor of 'maison' (house), referencing a hamlet of dwellings that were cleared and planted with vines in the late 1300s. Mazis-Chambertin should not be confused with the entirely separate Mazoyères-Chambertin, a distinct Grand Cru appellation with no labeling relationship to Mazis; it is Mazoyères-Chambertin that may instead be sold under the Charmes-Chambertin label. The nine Grands Crus of Gevrey-Chambertin together form a roughly rectangular block situated just south of the village itself.

• The Chambertin name has been used since the 13th century; Grand Cru classification for Mazis-Chambertin was officially granted on 31 July 1937
• The name 'Mazis' derives from 'mas,' an old term for a dwelling, referencing houses replaced by vines in the late 1300s
• Mazis-Chambertin is an entirely separate appellation from Mazoyères-Chambertin, with no shared labeling provisions between them

Mazis-Chambertin is situated above and to the west of the Route des Grands Crus, at elevations between 240 and 280 metres on the Gevrey-Chambertin hillside. It borders Chambertin-Clos de Bèze to the south, Ruchottes-Chambertin to the west, and Gevrey-Chambertin Premier Cru vineyards to the north and east, placing it at the northern tip of the Grand Cru belt. The vineyard's southeast-facing aspect and continental climate provide the conditions for full phenolic ripeness while retaining the acidity that characterises great Burgundy. Les Mazis-Hauts, on the upper slope, is distinguished by particularly thin, chalky limestone soils with excellent drainage; Les Mazis-Bas, lower down and divided from the upper section by a lane connecting the village to the Route des Grands Crus, has slightly deeper soils that can produce a richer, fuller style.

• Located above and west of the Route des Grands Crus, bordering Clos de Bèze to the south and Ruchottes-Chambertin to the west
• Elevations of 240 to 280 metres with a southeast-facing aspect; shallow, chalky limestone soils ensure excellent drainage and restrained vine vigour
• Les Mazis-Hauts (upper) has thinner soils than Les Mazis-Bas (lower), with the two parcels separated by a lane running to the Route des Grands Crus
• Continental climate provides warm, sunny growing seasons balanced by cool nights that preserve natural acidity in the fruit

Mazis-Chambertin is planted essentially entirely to Pinot Noir. While AOC regulations technically allow up to 15% of Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, and Pinot Gris, this provision is practically never used at Grand Cru level. The wines are recognised for being among the more structured and rich of Gevrey's nine Grands Crus, with the best examples closely resembling the wines of the neighbouring Clos de Bèze. The style ranges from the delicate and feminine, particularly from Les Mazis-Hauts, to the more powerful and tannic from lower parcels. Primary aromas of red and dark fruits, spice, and violets develop over time into secondary notes of leather, game, and forest floor. The vineyard produces around 3,000 cases per year, the equivalent of roughly 36,000 bottles.

• 100% Pinot Noir in practice; AOC permits up to 15% white varieties but this is essentially never employed at Grand Cru level
• Wines are structured and rich, often compared in style to the neighbouring Chambertin-Clos de Bèze Grand Cru
• Annual production is approximately 274 hectoliters, equating to around 36,000 bottles or 3,000 cases
• Primary flavours of red and dark berries, spice, and violet evolve with age toward leather, game, and complex tertiary notes

Around 30 proprietors hold parcels in Mazis-Chambertin. Among the largest are the Hospices de Beaune, with 1.75 hectares in Les Mazis-Hauts (sold at auction annually as the Cuvée Madeleine Collignon, donated by Jean Collignon in 1976 and vinified by a series of acclaimed Burgundy négociants over the years); Domaine Dugat-Py; and Domaine Faiveley. Domaine Armand Rousseau, one of Gevrey's most celebrated estates, holds approximately 0.53 hectares and labels its wine as 'Mazy-Chambertin.' Other respected producers include Louis Jadot, Domaine Harmand-Geoffroy, Domaine Joseph Roty, Lucien Le Moine, and Maison Olivier Bernstein. The fragmented ownership means stylistic variation is considerable, from classically restrained to more opulent interpretations.

• Hospices de Beaune holds 1.75 ha in Les Mazis-Hauts, donated in 1976 and auctioned annually as Cuvée Madeleine Collignon
• Domaine Armand Rousseau farms approximately 0.53 ha and labels its wine as 'Mazy-Chambertin'
• Domaine Dugat-Py and Domaine Faiveley are among the larger private landholders, each with significant parcels
• Around 30 proprietors in total contribute to the appellation, including Louis Jadot, Domaine Harmand-Geoffroy, and Domaine Joseph Roty

Mazis-Chambertin holds Grand Cru AOC status, the highest tier in the Burgundy classification system, formally granted on 31 July 1937. The AOC requires a minimum natural alcohol of 11.5%, a base yield of 37 hectoliters per hectare, and a minimum planting density of 9,000 vines per hectare. Pinot Noir is the principal variety, with the AOC technically permitting up to 15% of Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, and Pinot Gris, though this allowance is not used in practice. Critically, Mazis-Chambertin has no labeling relationship with Mazoyères-Chambertin; those are entirely separate appellations. Wines from Mazoyères-Chambertin may be sold as Charmes-Chambertin, not as Mazis-Chambertin. European PDO protections ensure that the Mazis-Chambertin name is reserved exclusively for wine from the defined parcels within Gevrey-Chambertin.

• Grand Cru AOC status granted 31 July 1937; base yield of 37 hl/ha and minimum natural alcohol of 11.5% required
• Pinot Noir is the principal variety; a 15% allowance for white varieties exists in the regulations but is not employed at Grand Cru level in practice
• Mazis-Chambertin has no labeling relationship with Mazoyères-Chambertin; the two are entirely separate Grand Cru appellations
• European PDO protections reserve the Mazis-Chambertin name exclusively for wine from the defined parcels in Gevrey-Chambertin

Gevrey-Chambertin village lies approximately 15 kilometres south of Dijon along the Route des Grands Crus, one of Burgundy's most celebrated wine roads. The village hosts more Grand Cru appellations than any other commune in Burgundy, with nine Grands Crus spread across 85.5 hectares. Mazis-Chambertin sits at the northern edge of this cluster, making it one of the first Grand Cru sites a visitor encounters when approaching from Dijon. Cellar visits to domaines such as Armand Rousseau and Harmand-Geoffroy require advance appointments. The annual Hospices de Beaune charity auction, held each November in Beaune, provides a public benchmark for Cote de Nuits Grand Cru pricing, with the Mazis-Chambertin Cuvée Madeleine Collignon a regular highlight. Local cuisine, including coq au vin and braised beef, pairs naturally with the structured reds produced throughout the appellation.

• Gevrey-Chambertin is approximately 15 km south of Dijon and is home to nine Grand Crus covering 85.5 hectares in total
• Mazis-Chambertin sits at the northern tip of the Grand Cru belt, adjacent to the village of Gevrey-Chambertin itself
• Cellar visits to top domaines require advance appointment; Domaine Armand Rousseau and Domaine Harmand-Geoffroy are among the most sought-after
• The annual Hospices de Beaune auction each November includes the Cuvée Madeleine Collignon, providing a public pricing benchmark for this appellation