2016 Domaine Fourrier Griotte-Chambertin Vieilles Vignes

Domaine Fourrier is a 22.5-acre estate in the Gevrey-Chambertin appellation of Burgundy’s Cote de Nuits. In the mid-20th century this domaine was called Pernot-Fourrier, and it is now run by Jean-Marie Fourrier, who took over from his father Jean-Claude in 1995. Jean-Marie worked for Henri Jayer and Domaine Drouhin in Oregon before returning to the family estate. Since his return the domaine’s wines have earned high praise from wine writers, including Clive Coates, who has written of Jean-Marie: “This young man is a thinker…There are brilliant wines here.” Jean-Claude is considered a rising star in Burgundy and Coates has more recently written that “The Fourrier estate is one of the very best in Burgundy.” The domain has a parcel of Grand Cru Griotte-Chambertin, and Premier Cru parcels in Gevrey-Chambertin, Vougeot, Morey-Saint-Denis and Chambolle-Musigny.

Griotte-Chambertin, sometimes spelled Griottes-Chambertin, is in Robert M. Parker Jr.’s words “a miniscule jewel of a vineyard” at just 6.7 acres. It is located across the road from Clos de Beze and produces only 800 cases of wine a year. The soil is extremely thin but the vineyard has excellent drainage, and wine writers all seem to agree that wines from Griotte-Chambertin are outstanding. Clive Coates writes that “Griotte has a poise and individuality that raises it above all but the very best Charmes.” Principal landholders are Ponsot/Domaine des Chezeaux, 2.23 acres; Rene Leclerc/Domaine des Chezeaux, 1.88 acres; and Joseph Drouhin, 1.33 acres.

This red wine is relatively light and can pair with a wide variety of foods. The grape prefers cooler climates and the wine is most often associated with Burgundy, Champagne and the U.S. west coast. Regional differences make it nearly as fickle as it is flexible.