Presentation of the Gevrey Chambertin appellation in Côte de Nuits
Gevrey Chambertin is the largest wine-growing commune on the Côte de Nuits, 14 kilometres south of Dijon with an area of 410 hectares. Established since 1936, its appellation d'origine contrôlée is classified either as a communal appellation, a premier cru, or a grand cru on Gevrey Chambertin and Brochon.
This beautiful appellation produces only red wines , from the Pinot Noir grape variety (locally called Pinot Noirien). They are more full-bodied, more robust, more fleshy wines than those of the Côte de Beaune.
Soil
The Gevrey Chambertin villages are located at the bottom of the slope on both sides of the D974 (road coming from Dijon), usually in Côte de Nuits we identify the regional appellations only to the left of this departmental.The soil is deeper, clayey and calcareous.
The first growths of Gevrey Chambertin occupy the upper part of the Coast, between 280 and 380 meters above sea level. They are divided into 3 parts:
- The north, shallow ground , colder air due to its altitude of more than 300 meters.
- The center, stony soil at the top of the slope, deep at the bottom.
- The south is located around the Grands Crus, this part produces the most flexible and fruity wines of Gevrey, brown and calcareous soils.
The Grands Crus of Gevrey Chambertin form a compact block facing east between 260 and 280 meters above sea level. Located on both sides of the Route des Grands Crus, these vines rest on hard , limestone rock. For those below the route of the Grands Crus, it is different they are lower in altitude and the limestone is hard.
The Gevrey Chambertin villages
The wines of Gevrey Chambertin villages are very colorful, a garnet colored color. On the nose, an aromatic expression of red and black fruits (cherries, strawberries, blackcurrants, blackberries, …) very nice. In the mouth, their tannins are powerful with a beautiful length. They are intended for custody up to 5 years.
The first growths
The Gevrey Chambertin premiers crus include 26 climates : Au Closeau, Aux Combottes, Bel Air, Champeaux, Champonnet, Cherbaudes, Clos des Varoilles, Clos du Chapitre, Clos Prieur, Clos Saint-Jacques, Combe au Moine, Craipillot, En Ergot, Estournelles-Saint-Jacques, Fonteny, Issarts, La Bossière, La Perrière, La Romanée, Lavaut Saint-Jacques, Les Cazetiers, Les Corbeaux, Les Goulots, Petite Chapelle, Petits Cazetiers and Poissenot.
The first growths on their youth reveals a bright ruby that takes with age darker shades. These first aromas are on rose, violet, red and black fruits (cherries, strawberries, blackcurrant, blackberries, …), as it ages it offers a liquorice bouquet, leather and fur. When put in the mouth, this Gevrey Chambertin premier cru affirms a rich, full-bodied wine, with a lot of body, fleshy tannins and extreme richness.
To accompany this beautiful bottle of Burgundy, we head to a prime rib, a braised lamb, a feathered game, a cow cheese (epoisses) and if you want to stay local opt for the Château de Cîteaux cheese with a creamy heart. The operating temperature is between 15 and 16 °C.
The Grands Crus
On Gevrey Chambertin, 9 climates are classified as grand cru: Chambertin, Chambertin Clos de Bèze, Chapelle-Chambertin, Charmes-Chambertin, Griotte-Chambertin, Latricières-Chambertin, Mazis-Chambertin, Mazoyères-Chambertin and Ruchottes-Chambertin.
The Gevrey Chambertin grands crus can be tasted after several years of aging, it is a very great wine for ageing, for example up to 40 years for the Chambertin Clos de Bèze.
During the tasting, we look at it carefully, a deep garnet color, several years pass and it takes on a dark carmine hue, black cherry. When it matures, the wine evolves on animal notes (leather, fur, game), truffle and undergrowth. On the palate, the Gevrey Chambertin grand cru are tannic, powerful with a beautiful finesse, firmness and great longevity. This wine expresses a great Burgundy !
Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte, a great figure in the history of France had "fallen under the spell" of these wines, a preference for Chambertin , he drank them at every meal!
