Charles Mortet set up his estate in 1956 with a single hectare of vines. True to the tradition in Burgundy, he sold most of his production to merchant houses.
In 1978 Denis joined his father, along with his wife Laurence. They were respectively 22 and 20 years old at the time. As Laurence’s family were farmers, she quickly took to working in the vineyard to her great satisfaction. Little by little, Denis developed bottled wine sales. He succeeded his father in 1993 and created Domaine Denis Mortet. At the time it represented some 4.5 hectares within the districts of Gevrey-Chambertin, Chambolle-Musigny and Vougeot – but this was just the start to the establishment’s vineyard. This was followed in 1999 by the acquisition of the vineyard of Chambertin Grand Cru.
The very high reputation of the estate is a testament to the late Denis Mortet. He was, quite simply, a genius but one who earned the respect of all Burgundian vignerons, leading by example and working harder than anyone in the vineyards.
95 Points Allen Meadows
Moderate wood all but dominates the intensely sauvage wild red and dark currant, spice, menthol and wet stone nuances. The large-scaled flavors are pungently earthy with an abundance of mineral hints that continue onto the explosively long and impeccably well-balanced finish. This is a big but not particularly rustic or austere Chambertin that should age for a very long time. 2012 is one of the better vintages for the Mortet Chambertin and I am more than just a little impressed.
96 Points Wine Advocate
Tasted at the Denis Mortet Chambertin vertical, the 2012 Chambertin Grand Cru is a quite wonderful wine that vindicates my assessment from barrel. It has quite an understated bouquet with hints of rose petal and damp(ish) earth tincturing the red berry fruit, unfurling with each swirl of the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with very fine detail. There is a succulence to this Chambertin, one that is embroidered with extremely fine tannins and blessed with a vibrant, almost citrus-like finish. It might not covet grand ambitions like the 2010, and yet it stands shoulder to shoulder in terms of its poise and finesse. This is a magnificent Chambertin.