Albert Bichot Gevrey-Chambertin 2019

Maison Albert Bichot was established in Beaune in 1831 by Bernard Bichot, grandfather of the first of a line of Albert Bichots.

The current managing director is Alberic Bichot (born 1964) who has revitalised the business which is now based around a series of domaines: Long-Depaquit in Chablis, Clos Frantin for the Côte de Nuits, du Pavillon for the Côte de Beaune and Domaine d’Adélie for Mercurey. Wines with one or other of these denominations will be from their own vineyards, while wines just bearing the name Albert Bichot will be from purchased grapes.

The company has separate vinification centres in Chablis, Pommard, Nuits-St-Georges and Beaune itself. Lupé-Cholet is an associated marque. Christophe Chavel has been looking after the vineyards since 2000, ensuring that they are all ploughed and no fertilisers are used. Alain Serveau, originally from a domaine in Morey-St-Denis, is technical director. Fermentation takes place in wooden vats of varying sizes depending on the specific plot of vines in question, using natural yeasts. Maturation is in oak barrels without too much new wood: 20 to 30 per cent for village wines, from 50 to 100 per cent for grands crus.

Bichot is now a serious player with some excellent red wines which avoid showing too much of a house style, and some fine whites

A great appellation in the Côte de Nuits, both for its size and its renown, Gevrey-Chambertin stands out for the impressive diversity of its terroirs. White wine is not produced here, only Pinot Noir grapes are grown.

The vines grown in marl-based soil covered with scree and red silt from the plateau, which lend the wine their elegance and finesse while the marls that contain a high proportion of fossilized shells and clay, confer body and firmness.

Grapes are handpicked before fermentation in oak vats. Ageing is for 14-16 months in 30% new oak

Rich nose combining scents of ripe red and black fruit (strawberry, raspberry...) with notes of oak and spices, which will evolve over time toward more animal notes (musk, fur). On the palate, this is a rich, well-structured wine with bold, yet classy tannins. The finish boasts lovely length.