Vallet Frères Gevrey-Chambertin ‘Clos de la Justice’ Monopole 2014

The grapes come into the winery with stalks, the first 10cm of each barrel is filled with grapes which are crushed by foot, the barrel is then topped up with whole bunches and fermentation starts naturally after 2-3 days. Since yeasts are an expression of the individual vintage and vineyard no artificial yeasts are used.

3-4 times a day the pulp is trodden by foot to further extract colour and flavour.  Louis is passionate in his belief that wines vinified with stalks are better; in blind tastings destalked wines start with more colour which rapidly degenerates after 2-3 years in bottle, this cannot be said for Vallet’s wines which retain colour and evolve more gradually.  The wines are left in open top fermenters until the cap sinks, this is the time to decant into 20-30% well toasted new oak (a small percentage compared to most).  After 15-20 months the wine is racked, blended and lightly fined.  Wines are not filtered but checked by candlelight, then bottled directly from barrel by hand on a cask by cask basis.

According to Louis “Burgundy must not be fruity – this is no good for great wine …. Short cask ageing and early bottling are the denaturing of real Burgundy … only a long period in wood, followed by a long period in bottle will produce finesse, breed and elegance”. His wines are proof of this.

This stunning example of Pinot Noir displays characters of cherry alongside rustic notes that express the terroir.  An inviting ‘drink me now’ nose which is gently spicy, lightly perfumed, with layered tones that are a little bit earthy and very traditional.  The palate has delicate flavours that are quite long, with different levels of flavour and complexity.  Still quite young, this is a very lovely wine with nice warmth, charm and structure.

Ideal with poultry and game-birds or a semi-soft cheese.