Aux Charmes is one of Morey-Saint-Denis' 20 Premier Cru climats, located on the very northern border of the appellation. While not the largest or most prestigious climat in Morey-Saint-Denis, the vineyard is responsible for some lush yet elegant Pinot Noir-based wines with ripe fruit characters.
The long, thin vineyard counts the famous Clos de la Roche Grand Cru among its neighbors, sitting above on the midslope of the Cote d'Or. The sizable Mazoyeres-Chambertin Grand Cru of Gevrey-Chambertin lies directly north of Aux Charmes, while the Clos des Ormes Premier Cru vineyard is to the south.
Aux Charmes' position at the bottom of the hill has some bearing on the vineyard's terroir. The sandy, chalky soils here are at odds with the thin scree higher on the Cote d'Or, although they come from the same limestone. These soils are free draining and somewhat lacking in nutrients, making them well suited to viticulture: vines must work hard to access moisture in the ground, growing deep root systems and producing small, high-quality berries.
The land is less steep here than in Morey-Saint-Denis' Grand Cru vineyards. Instead, vines have a gentle gradient that angles them toward the morning sunshine, providing a useful counter for Burgundy's cool continental climate. This exposure helps berries reach optimum ripeness, while much cooler evenings help with the retention of acidity by slowing the ripening period. This makes for a balanced wine, albeit one that is slightly less concentrated than is produced on the hillside above.
Several producers use this vineyard to make Morey-Saint-Denis Premier Cru wines. The most notable of these is Domaine Tortochot, who owns a sizable portion of Aux Charmes.
