Domaine Arlaud : Gevrey-Chambertin 1er cru "Aux Combottes" 2021

Characteristics and Tasting Notes for the Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru "Aux Combottes" 2021 Domaine Arlaud

Tasting

Color
While specific visual notes for this vintage are not documented, the wine's medium-bodied profile and youthful character point to a bright ruby hue with lighter garnet edges, a brilliant clarity typical of pinot noir grown on red limestone-clay soils.

Nose
The nose opens in a reserved manner before unfolding with aromas of red and black berries, forest undergrowth, crushed limestone, and a touch of orange zest, gaining vigor and complexity with aeration.

Palate
Medium-bodied, the palate reveals fine-grained tannins and a taut, linear structure, carried by flavors of blackcurrant and raspberry, a hint of allspice, and a light veil of white pepper through a long, persistent finish.

Food and wine pairings

This wine pairs naturally with slow-braised Burgundian dishes such as beef bourguignon or coq au vin, where tender meat and reduced sauces echo its earthy, spiced character. It also complements roasted poultry like duck or pigeon, particularly when served with mushrooms or dark fruit accents, and suits roasted root vegetables or mushroom-based preparations that highlight its forest-floor nuances.

Serving and cellaring

According to tasting notes published by critic Neal Martin (Vinous), the Gevrey-Chambertin 1er cru "Aux Combottes" 2021 is expected to reach its peak maturity between 2027 and 2044. It is best served at around 16 to 17°C, ideally after a brief decanting to let its aromatic layers fully unfold.

Other characteristics

This wine is certified organic and biodynamic, vinified with indigenous yeast and no added commercial yeast, enzymes, or fining agents. Sulfur use remains extremely limited throughout the winemaking process, and the wine is bottled unfiltered and unfined, following the lunar calendar in line with biodynamic principles.

A Gevrey-Chambertin Premier Cru Shaped by Biodynamic Precision

The Estate

Founded in 1942 in Morey-Saint-Denis, in the heart of Burgundy's Côte de Nuits, Domaine Arlaud has grown into a respected family estate holding parcels across several premier and grand cru appellations. Today led by Cyprien Arlaud, third generation of the family, the estate has been certified organic since 2010 and biodynamic since 2014, becoming the first biodynamic-certified domaine in Morey-Saint-Denis. Horse plowing, hand harvesting, and minimal-intervention winemaking define its approach throughout its vineyard holdings.

The Vineyard

This wine comes from a 0.45-hectare parcel within the Gevrey-Chambertin premier cru climat "Aux Combottes," planted in 1925 and 1965. The site sits on a gently sloping, red limestone-clay soil with bedrock surfacing close to the topsoil, bordered directly by neighboring grand crus. The parcel is certified organic and biodynamic, hand-pruned and tied, and plowed by horse to preserve soil structure and microbial life.

The Vintage

The 2021 growing season in Burgundy was generally regarded as cooler and more classic in style, favoring freshness and tension over heavier extraction. These conditions contributed to wines marked by pronounced acidity and a more linear structure, reflected in the energetic, taut character of the vintage.

Winemaking and aging

For the Gevrey-Chambertin 1er cru "Aux Combottes" 2021, grapes are harvested by hand in small crates and sorted across several tables. About one-third of the fruit is fermented as whole clusters, while the remaining two-thirds are destemmed but not crushed. Fermentation relies solely on indigenous yeast in open vats, with gentle extraction achieved through punch-downs and foot treading over roughly twenty to twenty-five days. After pressing in a pneumatic press, the wine is aged for fifteen to eighteen months in oak barrels, with a maximum of 20 % new wood, before being bottled unfiltered and unfined according to the lunar calendar.

Grape Varieties

This wine is made from 100 % pinot noir.