Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru "Petite Chapelle" AOC 2023

A Pinot Noir that puts precision before opulence. Bruno Clair's reds are lean yet deep: clear, juicy fruit, fine tension, silky tannin and a taut, saline line.

Petite Chapelle lies on the slope of Gevrey-Chambertin in the Côte de Nuits, directly below the grand cru parcel Chapelle-Chambertin. Limestone bedrock and iron-rich clay give the Pinot Noir backbone and aromatic complexity, while the slope's natural drainage ensures concentration without heaviness. The 2023 vintage brought warmth and good ripeness to Burgundy.

Domaine Bruno Clair in Marsannay-la-Côte farms 27 hectares across eight villages of the Côte d'Or and bottles 32 appellations. Harvest is by hand. In the cellar, the Pinot Noir ferments spontaneously, with 20 to 50 percent whole clusters and measured extraction. This is followed by 18 to 20 months in barrel, with new-oak use ranging between 20 and 50 percent. Clarification is left to time: bottling happens without cosmetic intervention.

Ruby red with violet highlights. On the nose, dark cherry, raspberry and fresh strawberry, followed by violet, undergrowth, cinnamon and clove. Silky flow, vibrant acidity, finely integrated tannin, mineral and long finish.

With coq au vin, braised duck with mushrooms or boeuf bourguignon. Also with aged Comté and Époisses. Drunk young, this wine needs plenty of air.

Cover crops and avoiding herbicides are standard practice at the domaine. Since 2010 son Edouard has worked alongside his father, joined since 2018 by Margaux and Arthur; together they favour higher proportions of whole clusters and less sulphur.