Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru "Clos du Fonteny" Monopole AOC 2023

The Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru "Clos du Fonteny" carries the hallmark of Domaine Bruno Clair: clear, juicy fruit, a fine austerity and a taut, saline line that holds the wine together. Slender in build yet deep, with silky tannin and a long mineral finish. A wine that shines at the table and gains complexity with age.

The Clos du Fonteny lies in Gevrey-Chambertin and is a monopole held solely by the Domaine. The estate is based in Marsannay-la-Côte, from where 27 hectares are cultivated across eight villages of the Côte d'Or, covering 32 appellations in total. Its roots go back to the marriage of Joseph Clair and Marguerite Daü in 1919; after the dissolution of Clair-Daü in 1985, Bruno Clair received seven hectares and founded his own estate in 1986.

Pinot Noir, fermented spontaneously. 20 to 50 percent of the grapes go into the vat as whole clusters, with extraction kept moderate. This is followed by 18 to 20 months of ageing in barrels, with new oak making up between 20 and 50 percent. Clarification happens over time: the wines rest long enough to be bottled without intervention.

Deep ruby red with violet highlights. On the nose, red cherry and wild berries, along with floral notes and a touch of spice. On the palate, juicy, with lively acidity, silky tannin and a long, saline finish.

A monopole vineyard classified 1er Cru, with cover crops and the renunciation of herbicides as standard practice in the vineyard. Since 2010, the sixth generation has been at work: Edouard in the vineyard and vinification, Arthur in cellar ageing, Margaux in shipping and logistics. The focus is on higher proportions of whole clusters and less sulphur.