Maison Joseph Drouhin 2018 Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru 750ml

Critical Acclaim:

The 2010 Gevrey-Chambertin possesses lovely energy and finesse in its understated dark red fruit, violets and mint. It captures a highly attractive combination of juiciness and Gevrey energy. This is a terrific village-level wine. Score: 88 points -- Vinous, Feb 2012

Winemaker's Notes:

Grape Variety: Pinot Noir.

Vineyard:

Site: located in the north of the Côte de Nuits, Gevrey-Chambertin is world-famous, not only for its superlative Grand Crus, but also for all its other vineyards.
History & tradition: Gevrey is of course the village where the Grand Cru vineyard Chambertin is located. Vines have been cultivated here since 630AD, when a certain Bertin decided to emulate the monks, his neighbors. The wine he made turned out to be spectacular - and the rest is history!
Soil: lean and chalky, with a red-brown cover layer of clayey marl.

Viticulture:

Plantation density: 10,000 vinestocks/ha in order to extract as much as possible from the terroir and limit the production of each vine stock.
Pruning: Guyot.
Yield: 44 hl/ha - purposely low, in order for the grapes to reveal every nuance of the terroir.
Grape Supply: grapes and wines provided by regular supply partners.

Vinification:

• Maceration and vinification take 2 to 3 weeks
• Indigenous yeasts
• Maceration and fermentation temperatures under total control.

Joseph Drouhin seeks total control of the process of extraction; extraction gives colour and substance but should never be detrimental to the finesse and typical character of the wine.

Ageing:

Type: in barrels (20% in new oak).
Length: 14 to 18 months.
Origin of the wood: French oak forests.
Weathering of the wood: Joseph Drouhin insists on total control of the weathering for a period of 3 years, one of the contributing elements to the elegance of the wine.

Throughout the ageing process, decisions are taken only after careful tasting evaluation, barrel by barrel. The data obtained is then completed through technical analysis. As with every other Joseph Drouhin wine, absolute priority is given to the true expression of terroir and character of the vintage.

Tasting note by Véronique Boss-Drouhin:

"Gevrey-Chambertin is a wine with a beautiful, bright ruby colour. Intensely fruity on the nose, the aromas are reminiscent of black cherry, wild blackberry and liquorice. The woody character is subtle and marries delicately with the other aromas. As the wine evolves, there are more complex notes, such as mild spice, nutmeg and leather. Later still, mushroom and damp earth nuances make their appearance. Although present on the palate, tannin is never astringent but blends itself harmoniously with the natural freshness and "gras" (velvety texture) of the wine. The same aromas encountered earlier on the nose are found again in the aftertaste".

Vintage:

• The reds were vinified harmoniously. We managed to keep a good proportion of whole bunches in a great number of cuvées.
• The malolactic fermentations were late and as they lasted over a long period, the wines acquired fullness and complexity. They display a neat and bright ruby-red colour.
• The wines are elegant, long on the aftertaste and with ample character. 2010 will certainly provide some great wines, in particular in the Côte de Nuits ... the only regret concerns the low quantity of the crop.

Serving:

Temperature: 16°C (61-62°F).
Cellaring: 5 to 20 years.