From a parcel of 45 and 70+ year-old vines, on the top half of the slope, very near the border with Chassagne-Montrachet. As one might gather from the name, the soil is a quite gravelly, lots of small rocks over Argovian marl. This is similar in composition to some special Volnay plots, and thus an inspiration for our vinification.
Vinification
Having found many Les Gravières to be very fruit forward, we decided to do a 100% whole cluster, no SO2 ferment to help frame that fruit with lither tannins and high-toned aromatics. Hand-harvested, chilled overnight the clusters were put into a CO2-sparged wooden tank for a 14-day native fermentation. The fruit was untouched save for a daily sparging with CO2, with one pigèage each of the last two days of fermentation. The wine finished to dryness in tank before a year in 300L oak barrels with the finest of lies. No fining or filtration.
Reviews
Transparent crimson. Earthy, minerally note on the nose. Low-key nose but very much a wine of terroir with a real core of embryonic fruit. Quite dry, sandy tannins on the end. Very true and authentic with overriding sweet, pure fruit but good freshness too. And still quite youthful with a taffeta texture — Jancis Robinson MW
This has an alluring crushed raspberry depth on the nose with spicy hints of white pepper. The palate is bright and snappy. Pomegranate crunchy. All very appetising. — Sarah Marsh MW, The Burgundy Briefing
Perfumed red fruit – a super invitation. A faint extra depth of structure, acid-cherry flavoured but broad, deliciously lip-smacking flavour in the finish — Bill Nanson, Burgundy Report
