2011 Griottes Chambertin Grand Cru
By Domaine Fourrier
The 2011 Griottes Chambertin Grand Cru from Domaine Fourrier
In the rarefied echelons of Burgundy’s winemaking zeniths, the 2011 vintage from Domaine Fourrier's Griottes Chambertin Grand Cru plot draws the discerning collector’s attention with its display of poise and prestige. This particular vintage, while encompassing the hallmark finesse of Domaine Fourrier, carries in its depths the unique signature of a season both challenging and rewarding.
Elegant Complexity, A Vintage to Remember
The 2011 vintage faced a cool summer and untimely rains that might have signaled apprehension, yet these conditions have birthed a wine of remarkable complexity and detail. The delicate array of flavors within this Griottes Chambertin vie for attention; telegraphing nuanced waves of cherry fruit, violet whispers, and a hint of spice—all embraced by an undercurrent of minerality that testifies to the revered terroir of this Grand Cru.
Remarkably accessible in its youth, this vintage from Domaine Fourrier defies expectations, offering investors and connoisseurs alike an earlier window of opportunity to unravel its subtleties without compromising on longevity—a trait often sought after but seldom found in fine wine investment.
Impeccable Balance, Desirable Investment
The artistry with which these elements are integrated speaks volumes about the year’s challenges metamorphosed into mastery. The 2011 Griottes Chambertin Grand Cru shows a poised juxtaposition between tannic structure and acid backbone—a tightrope walk that only the most skilled vignerons like Domaine Fourrier navigate successfully.
For the astute collector probing for both pleasure and performance from their investments, this vintage stands as testament to the resilience and potential of Burgundian artisanship amidst climatic caprices. With bottle age, it is expected to unfurl further dimensions of elegance and depth; an inviting prospect for those with patience and foresight.
In essence, we find in the 2011 Griottes Chambertin Grand Cru from Domaine Fourrier a testament to a year that refined adversity into splendor. For enthusiasts hoping to experience or invest in a slice of Burgundy's enchantment, here lies a choice vintage—poised satisfactorily between immediate gratification and promising evolution over time.
Market price (GBP)
£8,760.00
12x75cl
Highest score
95
POP score
584
Scores and tasting notes
The 2011 Griotte-Chambertin Grand Cru is blessed with a sublime bouquet of intense red currant, fresh strawberry and rose petal aromas that display exquisite delineation and positively blossoms in the glass. The palate has a satin-like entry underpinned by filigree tannins that render this Griotte feminine, elegant and graceful with fabulous focus. This is simply exquisite. Drink 2014-2030. I remember first meeting Jean-Marie Fourrier in London back at a time when he was establishing a presence in the UK market. Back then, his wines enjoyed more cultish popularity, that being at a time when Burgundy was the preserve of aficionados. Things have changed. Fourrier is now one of the most respected names in Gevrey, even if, perversely, he remains relatively unknown in his homeland. And Jean-Marie has not changed in all the years that I have known him. He is passionate, candid, principled, witty and born with a convenient knack of creating elegant Pinot Noirs that in 2011 have been augmented by two negociant offerings. Jean-Marie was at pains to explain that this expansion is simply because it is too expensive to buy vineyard nowadays and it does not represent a change in direction. His wines bear a whiff of semblance of Henri Jayer for whom Jean-Marie did a stage back in 1988, the fruit almost entirely de-stemmed and aged prudently in a modest percentage of new oak. With respect to the 2011s, I questioned him about the ripeness level and whether he felt there were incidences of greenness. He explained that there was the constant pressure of mildew, but that those with adequate, healthy green foliage were able to exploit the final three weeks of warm weather at the end of what had been a cool summer, offering the step to phenolic maturity. As previously mentioned, there are two negociant wines to finish off. Jean-Marie’s team goes into the vineyard to undertake the picking and he emphasized: “I buy grapes, not wine” and only from those who bottle themselves and want to reduce their quantity. Importer: Rosenthal Wine Merchant, Pine Plains, NY; tel. (800) 910-1990
Neal Martin - The Wine Advocate, 28 August 2013