A Gevrey-Chambertin from Domaine Fourrier Shaped by Old Vines and a Warm, Dry Vintage

The Domaine

Domaine Fourrier is a Burgundy estate based in Gevrey-Chambertin, in the Côte de Nuits. Its modern history began in the 1930s under Fernand Pernot, who assembled its finest parcels; the Fourrier family later took over, and Jean-Marie Fourrier has directed the estate since 1994. Trained alongside Henri Jayer, he built his reputation on old vines, minimal intervention, and gentle, gravity-based winemaking. Today the estate spans roughly 9 to 10 hectares across Gevrey-Chambertin, Morey-Saint-Denis, Chambolle-Musigny, and Vougeot.

The Vineyard and Vintage

This Gevrey-Chambertin comes from numerous parcels of old vines located within the village-level terroir, with a notable presence in the Champerrier sector to the north of the village, bordering Brochon. The vines are trained in Guyot and grow on clay-limestone soils marked by a mix of clay, silt, and sand, where the clay lends structure and depth while the sand contributes elegance and finesse. Some of these parcels date back to 1928, with an average vine age of around forty years for the 2020 vintage, confirming the genuine old-vine character of this cuvée.

The 2020 growing season in Burgundy was marked by an early cycle and a hot, dry summer, with little meaningful rainfall after June. This drought significantly reduced yields, by 50 to 60% compared to a normal year, resulting in smaller berries with thicker skins and concentrated juice.

The Domaine Fourrier Gevrey-Chambertin Village "Vieille Vigne" 2020 was harvested by hand, with grapes sorted carefully before being moved by gravity into the fermentation vats. Given the concentrated nature of the 2020 fruit, about 20% whole clusters were included to moderate color and tannin extraction while adding a sense of freshness to the wine. Fermentation relied on indigenous yeasts, with extraction managed through measured hand punch-downs. Aging took place over 18 to 20 months in barrels, with less than 20% new oak, preserving the purity of fruit and the transparency of the terroir. This wine is made from 100% Pinot Noir.

Tasting Notes

This Gevrey-Chambertin displays a mid-cherry hue, bright and lively, with a clarity that reflects careful, minimally invasive winemaking.

Nose: The nose opens on red and black fruit, raspberry and dark cherry, layered with floral notes of peony and rose. Citrus accents of orange zest mingle with earthy, loamy undertones, giving the wine a complex, multidimensional bouquet.

Palate: On the palate, this Gevrey-Chambertin shows a medium to full body, with a supple, fresh attack leading into a dense core of red and black fruit. The tannins are melting and well integrated, carried by a lively, driving acidity. The texture is silky and sappy, and the wine finishes long, with a distinctly saline edge. Alcohol content is around 13% by volume, reflecting the ripeness of the 2020 vintage while remaining well balanced.

Serving and Cellaring Recommendations

This Gevrey-Chambertin Village "Vieille Vigne" 2020 is best served at a temperature of around 59 to 63°F (15 to 17°C). In its youth, a brief decanting of about an hour can help soften the tannins and open up the aromatics. Critics estimate an optimal drinking window stretching to 2035, pointing to a wine with genuine cellaring potential.

The Domaine Fourrier Gevrey-Chambertin "Vieille Vigne" pairs beautifully with roasted or braised white meats served with a mushroom cream sauce, such as a classic poultry and morel preparation. It also complements braised or roasted red meats, including a traditional beef bourguignon, as well as feathered game accompanied by red wine reductions and smoked bacon. Aged soft-rind cheeses can also provide an interesting match, particularly once the wine has gained some bottle age.