The Cuvée Classique (as this wine is known) is drawn from the Domaine’s parcels on the mid-slope of the clos as well as parcels on the lower and upper parts of the vineyard. There are six parcels in total. The main parcels are situated in the middle of the clos and include the lieux-dits: Montiottes Basses, Quatorze-Journaux and Quartier Marei Bas (home also to the 1910 planted vieilles vignes parcel). The smallest holdings are those in the Quatorze-Journaux and Baudes-Saint-Martin lieux dits, two parcels at the bottom of the slope that sandwich Etienne Grivot’s vines, and La Plante l’Abbé, at the top of the clos, near the Château and the Grands-Echezeaux border. These vineyards have been managed organically for well over 20 years and now average around 67 years of age. As for all the reds here, this is 100% whole bunch, fermented in concrete with wild yeasts and then aged in 50% new oak. The barrels are fashioned according to each season by Stéphane Chassin in Charente.

Testing Note : A highly perfumed red burgundy with loads of spice, ripe plum and blackberry fruit, and a plush and silky texture with fine tannins in support. Deep and powerful, yet fleshy and sweet fruited with earthy, tobacco notes on the long complex close. When you consider the pricing now being paid for GC wines of equivalent quality, this still represents very fair pricing.”A ripe and very fresh nose offers up notes of maraschino cherry, plum, raspberry, spice and distinct floral wisps. There is excellent concentration to the succulent but quite powerful big-bodied flavors that possess a sleek mouthfeel thanks to the relatively refined tannins shaping the youthfully austere finish that flashes fine depth on the highly persistent finish. I like the balance and this should age effortlessly.”