Who makes it?
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
How is it made?
Pommard is one of the most renowned villages in the Côte de Beaune and produces exclusively red wines. The reddish brown soil contains a high proportion of limestone from the piedmont and yields some of Burgundy's most tannic and robust wines.
Built in 1298 as a military fortress under the Duchy of Burgundy, the Château has undergone major transformations over the centuries. The winery and cellar, a 75-metre long structure built in 1728, are particularly remarkable and are still operational to this day.
Château de Dracy's wines have been distributed by Albert Bichot since 1905
Hand-picked grapes are fermented in oak vats before ageing in 20-30% new oak for 14-16 months.
What does it taste like?
Complex nose combining notes of red and black fruit (raspberry, blackcurrant...) and flowers (violet, rose, peony...) with nuances of toasted oak and spices. The palate is rich and fleshy and is supported by a bold yet well-integrated tannic structure. This wine boasts character, but remains elegant and is endowed with lasting flavours on the finish.
