Visit to Domaine Bertrand Machard de Gramont – tasting the 2018s from cask

I was back on the hill just below l’Abbaye de Saint-Vivant de Vergy to visit Domaine Bertrand Machard de Gramont and its owner Axelle Machard de Gramont.

On the program was tasting the 2018s, along with a quick sample of some 2019s. So let’s get to the point!

A bit of background on Domaine Bertrand Machard de Gramont

Bottom line: I know that some of you don’t know this estate. But you should, so I will repeat last year’s introduction just to give you a feeling for the domaine.

Domaine Bertrand Machard de Gramont is a relatively small estate originating from Nuits-Saint-Georges. The estate has 6 ha in total, located mainly in the Nuits-Saint-Georges appellation, but also with plots in Vosne-Romanée and Vergy.

The domaine has family links with the Machard de Gramont estate in Premeaux and the Chantal Lescure estate in Nuits-Saint-Georges.

It was established in 1983 by Bertrand Machard de Gramont when the family estate was divided into three parts. Bertrand until then had worked at the family estate after a stay at Domaine de Vogüé in Chambolle-Musigny, presumably working under Alain Roumier, the old regisseur at de Vogüé.

Axelle Machard de Gramont returned to Burgundy to take on the vigneronne challenge in 2004. She is now running the estate, with support from her father.

I really admire the work Axelle is doing. She is making some significant wines from special terroirs created by her father.

Domaine Bertrand Machard de Gramont – the 2018s

I was a bit alert about some of the 2018 wines, as there were some hail issues in the southern part of Nuits-Saint-Georges. Some producers have done very well – including Axelle – and avoided any serious impact on the wines from the hail.

Let’s face it, the 2018s in general do not lack stuffing and concentration, so if the sorting have led to a slightly less concentrated style in some wines then is not all bad.

In fact, some of the important qualities of Axelle’s 2018s are the wines’ fine balance and relative lightness compared with some of the heavier-handed 2018s.

Tasting notes from March 13, 2020

All the 2018s were showing very well at this stage. This is a quite forward vintage.

Domaine Bertrand Machard de Gramont Bourgogne Rouge Les Grands Chaillots 2018

This is made from a plot in the Nuits-Saint-Georges appellation below the road and Chaillots – please note not a village only regional wine. On the lighter side of the 2018 vintage, it has a lovely, organic feel and nice NSG minerality. There’s no austerity here, just lively fruit and good depth for this level. Delightful balance.

(Drink from 2021) – Good – (85-86p) – Tasted 13/03/2020

Domaine Bertrand Machard de Gramont Nuits-Saint-Georges Les Terrasses de Vallerots 2018

To me a signature wine for this estate, from the terraces that can be seen from the RD974 between NSG and Premeaux. The Vallerots in 2018 has a lovely organic lightness and an enjoyability that is quite appealing – to me at least. With a light dose of oak – normally 20% new oak in this cuvee – it comes from vines planted in 2000-01, and is starting to show more depth. It’s juicy and lively with both red and dark fruit – pretty, and with delightful energy. A delightfully floral expression in an otherwise dense vintage.

(Drink from 2024) – Very Good – (87-88p) – Tasted 13/03/2020 –

Les Terrasses de Vallerots – a magnificent view

Domaine Bertrand Machard de Gramont Nuits-Saint-Georges Les Vallerots 2018

The Les Vallerots is, as always, a step up in concentration and depth. But it is also perhaps missing some of the vivid, floral expression of Les Terrasses de Vallerots. Regardless, a bigger, quite intense wine – more 2018 if you like – yet with vivacious, organic fruit. This has fine energy and very little of the austerity that frequents the middle part of NSG. A hedonistic hint to pique your interest with its organic depth.

(Drink from 2025) – Very Good – (88-89p) – Tasted 13/03/2020

Tasting Notes for this producer

• Domaine Bertrand Machard de Gramont, Vosne-Romanée 2015 July 23, 2017
• Domaine Bertrand Machard de Gramont, Nuits-St-Georges Aux Allots 2015 July 23, 2017
• Domaine Bertrand Machard de Gramont, Nuits-St-Georges Les Vallerots 2015 July 23, 2017
• Domaine Bertrand Machard de Gramont, Nuits-St-Georges Les Terrasses de Vallerots 2015 July 23, 2017
• Domaine Bertrand Machard de Gramont, Bourgogne Grands Chaillots 2015 July 23, 2017
• Domaine Bertrand Machard de Gramont, Aligote 2015 July 23, 2017

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