Visit Domaine Denis Bachelet – tasting the 2017s from cask

Some estates are on my “must/need to visit” list and one such producer is Domaine Denis Bachelet in Gevrey-Chambertin, as he in my view produce some of the best and most delicious Burgundies today.

These are very charming and delightful wines – with a silky style and attitude they are delicate and finely made with a gentle and light hand.

The 2017s here are beautifully made – somewhat lighter than the more serious 2016s – displaying the pretty and charming fruit of 2017. Gorgeous wines with expressive and delicate fruit – the 7 days cold maceration really work well at this estate – giving very sensual and expressive wines.

The estate Denis Bachelet

Domaine Denis Bachelet is a rather small estate located just east of the D974 in the village of Gevrey-Chambertin.

Denis Bachelet took over from his grand parents back in 1981 at a very young age, and since the estate has been one of the secret gems of the appellation – well known by collectors – difficult to find – and never really in or out fashion like the extracting colleagues of the 1990s.

‘La finesse avant Tous’ – ‘finesse before all’ is according to Jasper Morris the motto of Denis Bachelet, and this very much true for the 2017s I tasted at the estate.

As mentioned the estate comprise 3.99 ha of vineyards.

• Aligote: 0.18 ha
• Bourgogne Rouge: 0.61 ha
• Côte de Nuits Village: 0.95 ha
• Gevrey Chambertin: 1.23 ha
• Gevrey Chambertin Les Evocelles 0.17 ha
• Gevrey Chambertin Les Corbeaux 0.42 ha
• Charmes Chambertin 0.43 ha

All are wines of finesse – from the Bourgogne to the mighty Charmes Chambertin – transparent, gentle and delicately delicious – with a zen like balance and a effortless expression.

The 2017s from Domaine Denis Bachelet

The yields were quite fine in 2017 after the frost problems in 2016, that reduced the harvest with about 30% at Domaine Denis Bachelet.