2015 Griotte-Chambertin Grand Cru Vieilles Vignes Fourrier

This is the only Grand Cru vineyard chez Fourrier (if you exclude his négociant bottlings), planted in 1925 and 1956. Showing the classic elegance, perfume and finesse of a good Griotte, it's almost Chambolle-like in terms of texture and weight. Succulent, chalky and refined. 2022-30 .

Here the more reserved nose is compositionally similar to the Aux Echézeaux but it's spicier. The succulent and fleshy medium-bodied flavors possess good mid-palate richness which contrasts markedly with the firm, serious and robust finale that displays a touch of rusticity. This recommended effort is also very good and very Gevrey.

The 2015 Griotte-Chambertin Grand Cru has a beautiful bouquet, very pure and refined with blueberry, raspberry and cold stone aromas, just a distant hint of sea spray in the background. They palate is medium- bodied with crisp tannin, great depth and harmony, a gentle grip in the mouth with a precise black cherry and blueberry finish that just needs a little more persistence to come through. Give this 4-5 years in bottle to see it at full flight.

Dark and slightly wild on the nose but inexpressive today. Shows the added concentration and weight of the hot vintage but less of the coolness of the vineyards exposed to the Combe de Lavaut. Flavors of purple and black fruits and crushed rock hint at violet but can't quite match the sheer floral éclat of the Clos Saint-Jacques. This wine had been racked more recently than most of the rest and was tighter as a result. Although it's less harmonious today, its powerful spine of acids and tannins should ensure a long and graceful evolution in bottle.

Good dark red. Very dark aromas of black cherry, boysenberry and licorice. Impressively large-scaled, plush wine with the slightly aggressive character of the vintage. A major mouthful of wine, with slightly medicinal black fruit flavors showing a chocolatey ripeness. Finishes fat but uncompromisingly dry and a bit youthfully clenched, with slowly mounting length and a faint bitter edge. Not quite heavy but today this wine's typical floral and rocky energy is a bit overwhelmed by the hot, dry vintage character. Undeniably impressive for its sheer scale, but not my favorite style of Griottes-Chambertin.