Chambertin Grand Cru
Domaine du Clos Frantin
Situation
Côte de Nuits
Level
AOC Grand cru
Grape variety
Pinot noir
Chambertin got its name in the 13th century. It is said that a winemaker named Bertin had planted his field with the same grape variety as his neighbour from Le Clos de Bèze. The wines were perfect and their owner named those vines “Champ de Bertin” (Bertin’s field), which later became Chambertin. After that, this appellation, which was Napoleon’s favourite, became so renowned that the village of Gevrey became Gevrey-Chambertin. Our 0.17-ha plot is located at the top of the vineyard and overlies soil with a relatively high proportion of marl. This often results in later ripening than in the estate’s other plots. Consequently, it is among the last to be harvested.
Tasting
The nose is elegant, racy and complex and develops notes of green tea, cigar, prunes, dates and rosemary. Rich, full-bodied and powerful, this wine is balanced and velvety. The finish is long and aromatic.
Food/wine pairing
This wine is a great match for red meats, large game and aged full-flavoured cheeses.
Serving and keeping
Serve between 16°C and 17°C (60°F - 63°F).
May be enjoyed now or laid down for 7 to 10 years or more.
Vintages
Find here the characteristics of each vintage in Burgundy. Download
The vineyard
Parcel size: 0.17 ha (0,4 acres)
Situation: In the upper part of Chambertin, on gentle slope
Exposure: East, 290m
Soil: Brown limestone
Average age of the vine: 50 years
Nb of bottles produced per year: 700 on average
Vinification
Harvest: Handpicked
Vatting: Temperature-controlled conical oak vats
Vatting time: 3 weeks on average
Ageing
Ageing: In oak barrels 100%
Ageing time: 14 to 18 months
Proportion of new barrels: 70%
eRobertParker.com (Neal Martin) (october 2015)
2012 vintage: "Who could be better than Rousseau in 2012?” you ask incredulously. I suspect few will answer: “Why, Domaine du Clos Frantin a.k.a Albert Bichot”, but wow, this is just a stunning expression of Chambertin. And before you cart me off to the asylum, yes, it did garner the highest average score from the group of tasters and won by quite some distance. Everything you know is wrong, eh? (97/100)
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