Chambertin - Clos de Bèze
Grand Cru 2018
Dean of all Burgundy clos!
Origin
Gevrey-Chambertin is a large village located at the northern extremity of the Côte de Nuits. It boasts one of the largest surface areas under vine with no less than 330 hectares under production. There are no fewer than 55 different parcels here. The Grand Cru terroirs begin south of the village where the eastern exposure is ideal, allowing the vines to benefit from the rising sun.
Chambertin-Clos de Bèze is one of the 9 Grands Crus of the Gevrey-Chambertin vineyard. It is located at the top of the hill between Ruchottes-Chambertin and Chambertin. And its total size is 14.53 ha.
Mentioned since 640, Clos de Bèze is one of the oldest wine-growing areas in France. It will remain the property of the abbey of Bèze until 1219 then will be ceded to the Canons of Langres until the French revolution. It is then divided and sold to many owners.
Viticulture
Grape variety: pinot noir
Soils: brown, very thin, silty and scree.
Orientation: East
Surface area under vine: 0,5350 ha
Pruning: Guyot system
Yield: 42 hL/ha
Average age of the vines: 45 years old.
Vinification
Harvest date: 14 September 2018.
The grapes were handpicked. They were sorted a first time in the vineyard and again on the sorting table when they arrived at the winery.
At the winery: the grapes were completely destemmed but not crushed (they were left whole) and were gravity-fed into tanks. Total maceration of 19 days including 4 days cold (12 C). Fermentation used indigenous yeasts only (no additives such as enzymes or tannins were used). 4 punchings of the cap.
Ageing
Maturation: aged on the lees for 18 months with no racking using a proportion of 100% new French oak barrels.
Barrels: French oak barrels that had been toasted at low temperatures for a long time to impart a very delicate touch of oak to the wine.
Bottling
Bottling in May 2020, the wine was very gently filtered before being bottled using gravity.
Number of bottles: 607.
Vintage
2018, abundance and excellence
After a winter that was almost too mild, the vintage was notable for two contrasting periods. Spring was sunny and totally devoid of frost, despite some localized episodes of hail, which had major impact on certain plots on the Côte de Nuits, which were hit in June. Then the summer was dry and hot, blocking the ripening process in places. Picking began early, with exceptionally abundant fruit in tip-top condition, offering the potential for some very fine wines
Ageing potential: 10 years and more.
Tasting notes
Its dark ruby red color offers a racy nose, marked by aromas of currants, raspberries as well as cherry stones mixed with woody and toasted notes. On the palate, we discover a dense and elegant wine with a finesse finish.
