Visit: Chantereves … tasting of the 2014s

On my November trip to Burgundy I had the pleasure to revisit Chantereves- one of the rising stars within the world of micro negociants.

Tomoko explaining the new style of the reds

Chantereves, Savigny, Rhingau and Japan

Chantereves is a small negociant located in a celler below a modern villa in Savigny-Les-Beaune.

The estate is founded by two talented winemakers … Tomoko Kuriyama and Guillaume Bott, who as wife and husband have joined forces in producing a small selection of wines from grapes bought from different vineyard owners around Burgundy. First vintage was 2010.

Tomoko originates from Japan but has taken her wine education at the famous wine university in Geisenheim Germany. After finishing her education she worked as estate manager at the well known Rheingau estate, Friedrich Altenkirch. Guillame Bott is currently working as winemaker at Domaine Simon Bize also in Savigny-Les-Beaune.

The Chantereves wines

The 2014 vintage mark an interesting change of vinfication of the reds, as 100% whole cluster grapes are used for the reds in this vintage and the level of SO2 has also been reduced significantly.

The result are some very expressive and “organic” wines moving stylewise in the direction of both Frederic Cossard and Pacalet … i.e. the combination of low SO2 and a very high percentage of whole cluster.

I really love this style of wines, and adding the usual focus and purity of Chatereves to this style has the potential to make som truly defined and delightful wines. The Chantereves 2014s reds are expressive and pure, and a bit darker in the fruit than the 2014s from Philippe Pacalet. I’m really looking forward to taste these wines from bottle … exiting with this change of style.

For the whites there is little change vinification wise… and the 2014 whites are truly magnificent here. The 2014 whites are just as crystal clear as the 2013 I tasted earlier in 2015, but the more charming and delicate character of the 2014 vintage really suits these pure and focused wines.

The wines from Chatereves may not come from grand cru terroirs but they offer a purity and delicacy that rival the work of the very best producers. The attention to detail is impressive and the result is … very pure and lovely wines … a treat to taste these beauties.

Notes from the tasting in Savigny-Les-Beaune

I tasted 5 wines at Chantereves, three whites and two reds … all from tank or cask.

Photo: The 2013 wines tasted earlier in 2015

Chantereves, Pommard 2014
The Pommard is slightly on the dark side for a 2014 but offering a lovely floral expression due to the high percentage of whole cluster (100%). In the nose red and dark berry fruit, forward and expressive with a fine earthy minerality. On the palate fine and organic fruit – focused with a nice weight and length for this level. Quite a change stylewise from the 2013 … but I prefer the new style as it seems to ad some complexity to the wines – and still maintaining the high level of purity. Sometimes the low SO2 whole cluster wines seem to lack a bit of definition – this is not the case here – lovely focus. Looking forward to follow this wine.

(Drink from 2022) – Very Good (88 – 89p) – Tasted 17/11/2015

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Chantereves, Volnay 2014
The Volnay is a step up in delicacy from the Pommard … a deligtful glass of pinot. The nose is offering fine and airy red fruits – expressive and spiced with cinnamon and all spice. On the palate fine and cool organic fruit – delicate and refined but very forward and expressive due to the change in vinification – low SO2 and 100% whole cluster. A lovely Volnay in the making … this will provide delightful drinking.

(Drink from 2022) – Very Good (88 – 89p) – Tasted 17/11/2015

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Chantereves, Bourgogne Blanc 2014
The Bourgogne Blanc 2014 from Chantereves is a lovely glass in the making. The nose is offering pure, charming and delicate fruit … lovey white orchard fruits, citrus and a delicate minerality. On the palate fine and balanced with a very good weight for this level offering all the purity one would expect from this estate. It’s a refined, energetic and pure Bourgogne Blanc .. a wine that I need to have in my cellar for enjoyment over the next years.

(Drink From 2016) – Good – (86 – 87p) – Tasted 17/11/2015.

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Chantereves, Saint Romain 2014
The Saint-Romain is also showing beautifully. In the nose lovely pure white fruit, crisp and crunchy minerality. On the palate very crisp and vibrant with it’s playful minerality and fine acidity. It’s pure and refined for this level offering a lovely expression of terroir, loads of energy and nerve. A lovely Saint Romain in the making.

(Drink From 2020) – Very Good – (87 – 88p) – Tasted 19/03/2015.

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Chantereves, Chassagne-Montrachet Les Morgeots 2014
The Chassagne-Montrachet Les Morgeots is a big step up from the otherwise lovely Saint-Romain. In the nose intense but airy white and yellow orchard fruits brought forward by a powerful citrus infused minerality. On the palate very fine focus and weight – a very refined expression of Chassagne – with a loverly purity and energy. The acidity is fresh and energetic and the finish is long offering loads of crisp minerality. A beautiful and refined Chassagne in the making – love the purity and focus.

(Drink From 2024) – Fine – (91 – 92p) – Tasted 19/03/2015

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