Domaine Bruno Clair Gevrey Chambertin Premier Cru Clos du Fonteny Monopole Burgundy France, 2017, 750

• Size: 0.68 ha (1.66 ac)
• Variety: Pinot Noir
• Vine Age: 1/2 planted in 1972, 1/2 in 1987
• Terroir: Upper part of les Fontenys, poor white clay soil, limestone rocks
• Viticulture: Organic (not officially certified)
• Vinification: 40% whole cluster, indigenous yeast fermentation, minimal punch-downs and pump-overs (one each in general per day). Aged for 18 months in barrel (0-50% new oak). Racked once for short blending period in tank before bottling.

Fonteny is 3.73 ha vineyard at the northern end of Gevrey’s grands crus, just after Ruchottes-Chambertin. It sits at 285 to 300 meters' altitude, has a gentle to moderate gradient, and faces east. Jasper Morris believes is “one of the most interesting premiers crus” in Gevrey-Chambertin, partly because of the talent of some of its owners: Bruno Clair, Joseph Roty, and Christian Serafin.

The Clair parcel:

The southern third of the vineyard sits on a little raised plateau, 2 to 10 meters above the rest of the vineyard. This is where Clos du Fonteny is located; Jasper Morris points out it is the better part. Clos du Fonteny is a Clair monopole. It is 0.68 ha, with half the vines planted in 1972, half in 1987.

From the Domaine

• GRAPE VARIETYPinot Noir
• ACREAGE0.675 hectare
• SoilClay limestone
• SubsoilPremeaux limestone
• ORIENTATIONEast/south-east
• AVERAGE ALTITUDE295m
• YEAR OF PLANTING1972, 1987
• Vinification30–50% whole bunches; 10–15 days maceration in wooden vats
• MATURATION18–20 months in oak barrels; approx. 30% new barrels
• TASTING NOTESRuby red colour
  Nose of red fruits
  Plenty of finesse and elegance
• LAYING DOWN5 years minimum