Albert Bichot Morgon "Les Charmes"

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 forgrands 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.

Located west of the hamlet of Morgon, in the southernmost part of the appellation, the vines are planted on southeast-facing gentle slopes, at altitudes of between 350 and 400 metres.

The pebbly soil that has been heavily eroded lends our Morgon "Les Charmes" fleshy fruit and remarkable finesse.

Grapes are hand harvested before a fermentation over 9-12 days in stainless steel. Ageing is for 8-9 months -half in stainless steel and half in old 350l barrels

Rich nose combining scents of jammy fruit and spices with a hint of smoke. This generous wine boasts tannic structure that is softened by fleshiness. The finish is pleasingly long.