Chambolle-Musigny Les Cras
Côte de Beaune, Burgundy, France
The Côte de Nuits commune of Chambolle-Musigny is littered with prime Pinot Noir-growing terroirs – some of the most filigree and haunting on Burgundy’s golden slope. Naturally those which attract the most attention are the Grands Crus, Le Musigny and Bonnes-Mares. Of the Premiers Crus, Les Amoreueses and Les Charme are usually ranked highest, followed by Les Baudes, Les Fuées, and Sentier. But arguably in the same echelon as this latter grouping is the Premier Cru of Les Cras.
The vineyard is located immediately south of Les Fuées. A special aspect of the terroir of Les Cras is the Combe Ambin, a small valley that cuts into the Côte d'Or escarpment. This topography gives the vines planted here optimum sun exposure which is tempered by cooling westerly winds that blow through the combe. This, combined with marly limestone soils analogous to those in Grand Cru Bonnes-Mares, produces Pinot Noirs noted for being floral, elegant yet structured and capable of long ageing. Look out in particular for the Les Cras wines of Domaine Roumier, Domaine Ghislaine Barthod and Domaine Méo-Camuzet.
