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Wine Description
The Story
Vineyard
Site: at the heart of Côte de Nuits, between Morey-Saint-Denis and Vougeot.
History & tradition: the name of the village Chambolle is probably derived from the Celtic "cambola", already reputed for its vineyards in Gallo-Roman times and cultivated by the monks in the Middle Ages. Joseph Drouhin owns several parcels in this appellation.
Soil: the limestone of the subsoil is of Jurassic age origin, ideally suited for Pinot Noir.
Drouhin estate: 0,25 ha. (0.625 acre).
Average age of the vines: 20 years.
Viticulture
Biological cultivation since 1990; biodynamic cultivation a few years later.
Vine stocks: "sélection massale" (propagation of new vine stocks from a number of selected vines) done at the Drouhin nursery; also clones of recognized quality.
Soil maintenance: compost of manure and white wood, sometimes guano (seabird manure used as fertilizer). Soil is ploughed either by tractor or by horse to manage spreading of weeds.
Treatment: only authorized products for biological cultivation are used: infusions and macerations of plant materials, sulfur and copper, powdered rock. Natural predators are not eliminated.
Plantation density: from 10,000 to 12,500 stocks/ha in order to extract all possible nuances from the terroir and limit the production of each vine stock.
Pruning: Guyot.
Yield: we aim to keep our yields low, more in line with the previous regulation: around 20% less than allowed by the current law.
Vinification
Harvesting: by hand, in small open crates in order to preserve the integrity of the fruit.
Sorting of the grapes: in the vineyard and at the "cuverie" (winery) if necessary.
Maceration:
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 to a wine but should never be detrimental to its finesse and typical character.
"Pigeage" (punching down of the cap during fermentation): once a day until half of fermentation is done; one pumping over (remontage) per day till the end of the fermentation.
Pressing: separation of free run juice from pressed juice.
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.
Follow-up: barrel by barrel.
Fining ("collage", to clarify the wine): light, after careful tasting.
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
"Fine lace and silk are the words most often associated with this wine. Bright, intense colour and complex aromas evoking violet, black cherry and damp earth. According to the vintages, there are also notes of truffle and game. Refined tannins coat the palate. Good balance between texture and acidity. Long aftertaste, with notes of cherry and candied fruit".
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 18 years.
Wine Information
2008 - Another Great Vintage
Autumn and winter were rather dry and mild; spring was cool and humid, followed by a summer resembling 2007.
By mid-September, the weather in Burgundy turned extraordinary and allowed harvesting to take place under ideal conditions. Depending on the areas, the overall quantity is lower: 5% to 30% less than in 2007. On the other hand, the quality is high - and in Chablis even exceptional.
CHABLIS
It is an exceptional crop. Picking lasted from September 25th to October 4th. We were few to harvest so early, but low yields meant precocious maturity... the sanitary state, acidity and sugar levels were excellent. The year was difficult but the biological culture proved to be successful.
We are quite confident to say that 2008 is one of the greatest vintages of the past 25 years.
All the wines from the village Chablis to the Grand Crus, depending on their level of appellation, show concentration, richness, freshness, minerality and intense aromas. It could be interesting to lay down these Chablis as their aromatic potential is important. Although very pleasant and seductive when young, you could also keep these Chablis up to 4 or 5 more years, the Premier Crus from 7 to 8 and the Grand Crus to drink from 2011 and the next 12 years.
COTE D'OR
The climatic conditions were rather difficult in August in the whole vineyard.
But the improved weather from early September combined with a reduced quantity of grapes accelerated the maturity. Picking started on September 22nd and ended on October 6th. Those are classical dates.
Whites
The malolactic fermentations began later than usual and lasted several months. This ageing on the lees has allowed the wines to gain complexity, flesh, and to reduce the acidity level. The quality is homogeneous all across the Côte d'Or. The wines show richness, minerality and freshness.
Reds
Both in Côte de Beaune and in Côte de Nuits, the yields at Joseph Drouhin estates are low (from 15 to 30% down compared to last year).
Just after the flowering we had expected the yields to be lower; but the sorting of the grapes further reduced the quantity produced. The colours are more intense than 2007, with a beautiful clean red ruby colour. The wines have good substance with a very nice freshness and refined tannic structure.
Côte de Nuits wines seem to have a greater ageing potential than the Cote de Beaune.
Vintage 2008
An indifferent spring caused uneven flowering and mildew risk. At the end of June the weather changed for the better, continuing into July. Apart from local hail in the Côte de Beaune at the end of July, the summer began well. August arrived fairly cold and variable, but fortunately the last week of the month brought fine, warm weather. The lead-up to harvest saw sunny skies, apart from two days of rain in mid-September. A challenging vintage.
From day one the red wines have had a rich, pure fruit character with fine, silky tannins. The whites offer a good balance between ripe fruit and vibrant acidity. A vintage not to be overlooked because the wines deliver potential and pleasure.