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Wine Description
The Story
Chambertin Grand Cru
CLIMATS
Once upon a time, this field was owned by a fellow called Bertin. This is the most famous Grands Crus, close to the south of Combe Grisard ; it is not as steep as Clos de Bèze and colder. Facing east, it benefits from perfect sunshine. At the top of the hill, the soils are white and marly, thereby slowing down the growing cycle. At the bottom, they are marly-limestone with superb dark brown clay. Together they are covered by scree and fine silt. Situated on the middle of the slope with excellent drainage, this is a perfect terroir for Pinot Noir. The combination between the top and the bottom produces a Chambertin offering rare balance.
STYLE
Like all great wines, it remains very closed in its youth. However when first tasted it evokes its full potential and plenty of class on the palate. From start to finish it boasts good elegant flesh with silky tannins and a mineral framework. With age it will express its entire complexity.
Vintage 2019
“2019 is ‘the perfect storm’ of a vintage,” said Laurent Drouhin of top negociant house Drouhin, which owns vineyards in many parts of Burgundy. “We keep smiling because some wines will be great.” The mix included the hottest temperatures since the time of the Black Death 700 years ago (!), frost in April, rain in June, and no rain for nearly four months.
Drouhin’s harvest started on time on Sept. 13, and Laurent’s winemaking brother Frederic reports, “The first reds show an intense and beautiful color, good concentration, great balance and acidity and depth. The whites also show good richness with balance.” It’s a great year for reds, with slightly higher alcohol than usual.
The downside is very low yields. In just one April night, frost destroyed about 30% of the crop in Macon, though what’s left is making wines with good acidity and aromas.
Export company Le Serbet gathered reports from 65 producers in its portfolio, and head of marketing Peter Wasserman says the loss of grapes varies from vineyard to vineyard; in some places it may be as much as 50% to 60% lower than normal. Northern appellations such as Gevrey-Chambertin seem to have done best, down only 10%.
With less wine, you might predict even higher prices, but producers worry that this would drive away consumers.