Visit Domaine Robert Groffier, tasting the 2016s from tank

One of the slightly overlooked gems of Burgundy is Domaine Robert Groffier in Morey-Saint-Denis. Nicolas Groffier took over the vinification around 10 years back – and has improved quality significantly over the years – although I must say that quality has been good for the last decades here.

The Groffier wines seem to stand the test of time very well – recent tastings of vintages like 1996, 2004 and 2007 suggest that the Groffier wines perform very well indeed – the 1996 Chambertin Clos de Bèze served at the Domaine was among the best wines I have tasted from this vintage – a true delight.

Groffier in recent years

Nicolas Groffier has in my view done a brilliant job during the last decade – and the style is now both elegant and consistent.

The style has been turned towards the more expressive and accessible – with introduction of more whole cluster grapes and less new oak. This process has definitely succeeded, as the wines now are showing very well indeed, even earlier in the development.

As mentioned above older vintages are also showing very well – and I think that Nicolas has succeeded in establishing both a consistency and a fine coherence with older vintages.

This is truly a fine address for Chambolle (and Gevrey) – I do like these wines, as they bring a lot of pleasure and should in my view not be missed by serious collectors.

The 2016s from Domaine Robert Groffier

The 2016 vintage was good to Domaine Groffier – as they lost almost nothing to the April frost – hence pretty good yields here and no very low yield wines in the lineup.

The concentration do however seem very fine nevertheless, and the wines are very attractive style wise – cool, transparent and vibrant wines.

It’s to be honest amazing that Nicolas Groffier escaped the consequences of the April frost as some neighbours lost 70% of the harvest in Chambolle Musigny.