2008 Griotte Chambertin
Estimated value
Buying options
Tasting notes
Interestingly, the 2008 Griotte-Chambertin is less marked by the vintage than the Clos St. Jacques; rather here it is the signature of the vineyard that reigns supreme. Readers will find a wine of exquisite textural elegance and finesse. Silky tannins frame the fragrant, sweet fruit through to the generous, inviting finish. This is another superb wine from Jean-Marie Fourrier. Anticipated maturity: 2018-2033. Count me among the Burgundy fans who are thrilled Jean-Marie Fourrier chose not to pursue the career as a commercial airline pilot for which he studied. Fourrier began picking on September 17. The fruit was destemmed. Cuvaison lasted around 14 days but Fourrier commented that he had an unusually high (50%) amount of shot berries, which had the effect of extending the fermentations for another week or so. The malos started and ended early, hence Fourrier decided to bottle early as well. Per his usual practice, Fourrier left the wines on the lees with no racking until the wines were prepared for bottling. On average the wines saw 20% new oak. I tasted all of the 2009s from bottle. Importer: Rosenthal Wine Merchant, Pine Plains, NY; tel. (800) 910-1990
Critic scores
Average Score
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Medium red. Ripe, refined aromas of raspberry, crushed stone and white pepper. Wonderfully sweet in the mouth; larger-scaled than the Clos Saint-Jacques but a bit less detailed and perfumed today. Still, this grand cru boasts terrific verve thanks to strong acid cut. Finishes quite powerful, with substantial dusty tannins. Will this eventually surpass the Clos Saint-Jacques?
(just 20% new oak here, or roughly the same percentage as Fourrier's other wines; malo finished) Good full red. Sweet cherry, spices and a distinct chalky quality on the reticent nose, with some oakiness showing. Sweet on entry, then quite vertical and withdrawn in the middle, displaying excellent energy but not quite the early floral quality or suavity of the Clos Saint-Jacques. A more powerful wine, with pungent minerality and excellent chalky lift. It's hard to believe that this won't ultimately equal or surpass the Clos Saint-Jacques but this is stubbornly closed today.
A refined, complex and strikingly layered nose offers up notes of admirably freshly crushed red berries, kirsch, soil tones, underbrush and hints of smoke and spices that serve as a stylish introduction to the pure and seductively textured medium weight plus flavors brimming with dry extract and a discreet touch of backend minerality on the sappy finish that displays well-integrated tannins. For the moment however, note that this is linear but quite strict and the style will most please those who appreciate classically styled burgs.<br />
About the producer
Domaine Fourrier is located in the village of Gevrey-Chambertin. The estate has been run by Jean-Marie Fourrier since 1994, and has rapidly become one of the village’s most fashionable names, known for producing pure and transparent Pinot Noir.