Domaine Chevrot, Maranges Blanc
Vintage: 2020
Vintage | Product Code | Format | Closure | Availability |
---|---|---|---|---|
2020 | CV801B20 | 6 x 75 | Natural Cork | Available |
2020 | CV801M20 | 3 x 150 | Natural Cork | Available |
Producer
Domaine Chevrot came recommended by the talented Jane Eyre, who worked with them when she first arrived in Burgundy from Melbourne. Based in Maranges, the domaine is run by brothers Pablo and Vincent, who took over from their parents in 2007 after gaining experience in Bordeaux and Central Otago. They farm the 19-hectare estate organically and have introduced horse-drawn ploughing (for less compacted soil) alongside larger barrels to refine the style of the wines. These excellent changes have helped raise the domaine’s profile.
Situated just 10 kilometres south of Puligny and Chassagne-Montrachet, Maranges has been gaining attention due to its wines' increasing quality and affordability. Domaine Chevrot is nestled in the heart of the appellation and is widely viewed as one of its leading producers. Their wines don’t receive SO2 treatment until bottling, due to Vincent being allergic, resulting in under 50 mg/l for red wines and under 60 mg/l for whites.
The brothers constantly look to improve their approach in the vineyards and the cellar. As a result, Domaine Chevrot became one of the pilot research wineries for the BIVB (Burgundy Wine Board) and currently leads a program on combatting the spread of Brettanomyces in Burgundian cellars. This research greatly benefits not only their wines, but those of Burgundy in general.
The Maranges Villages Blanc is sourced from vines grown on granite and gravel soils on the lower part of the hill. The resulting wine is defined by distinctive notes of praline and roasted hazelnuts, alongside a lovely texture balanced with lively acidity. The Maranges Premier Cru ‘La Fussière’ Blanc is sourced from a steep west-facing slope with chalky soils, which Pablo describes as “almost Champagne-like”. The nuances of this site contribute to the wine’s depth, clean fruit, fresh acidity and long finish. The brothers also have two hectares of vines in Santenay, and the Santenay Premier Cru ‘Clos Rousseau’ Blanc is made from fruit grown on chalky soils and aged using 20% new oak. The resulting wine is fresh and slightly honeyed with ripe stone fruit flavours, great depth and a long finish.
Domaine Chevrot’s red wines have a depth of flavour seldom found in Maranges. The Maranges ‘Sur le Chêne’ Rouge comes from a three-hectare ‘lieu-dit’ purchased by Pablo and Vincent’s grandfather. Utilising a 30% whole-bunch fermentation creates perfumed, red-fruit aromatics, alongside gentle tannins and crunchy acidity. The Maranges Premier Cru ‘La Fussière’ Rouge is deeper in colour than the villages wine, with rich but delicate aromas of dark fruits, fine tannins and a powerful yet elegant finish. Its structure is enhanced by 18 months of oak ageing, with 30% new oak used for the first 12 months. The Santenay Premier Cru ‘Clos Rousseau’ Rouge is crafted using 40% whole-bunch fermentation, enhancing the final wine's aromatic profile, whereas ageing in 30% new oak creates structure and complexity.
Vineyards
The Chardonnay vines for the Domaine Chevrot Maranges Blanc are grown on a beautiful south-facing terrace of limestone and granite gravel, on slopes with a 25% gradient. Soils here are deep but poor in nutrients. The vineyard’s proximity to the river Cozanne means it benefits from a broad diurnal range, resulting in grapes that reach ideal levels on phenolic ripeness while retaining a good level of acidity. All of the domaine’s vineyards are organically farmed without the use of fertilisers. Two draft horses, Valentine and Hotesse, help work the land to control unwanted vegetation and avid soil compaction are considered to be integral members of the Chevrot team.
Vintage
The 2020 vintage in Burgundy was characterised by hot and dry conditions. The vintage began with a relatively mild winter, with one incidence of frost in February. Sunny weather arrived in mid-March, along with the imposition of France's first Covid-19 lockdown. Warm and sunny conditions continued throughout the summer, accompanied by low levels of rainfall, this put some stress on certain parcels of vines. The harvest began on 20th August, producing white wines of generous mid-palate volume and texture, underlined by a lovely freshness.
Vinification
The grapes were harvested early in the morning to preserve freshness and aromatics and transported immediately to the winery. A gentle pressing took place to extract only the best juice and this was left for 1 day to settle before being racked off the sediments and transferred to stainless-steel tanks for fermentation. Fermentation took place with indigenous yeasts, at temperatures between 15°C and 23°C and lasted for around 1 month. Following fermentation, the wine went through full malolactic fermentation and was aged for a total of 15 months: 12 months in French oak (15% new, a combination of larger foudres and 228-litre fûts), the blend was then assembled and left to marry for 3 months in stainless steel before bottling.
Tasting Notes & Technical Details
This Maranges Blanc has delightful offers aromas of citrus and yellow peaches, enhanced by notes of bergamot. The refreshing palate boasts ripe yellow fruit flavours and is deliciously textured, with a lifted acidity and a mineral finish.
Alcohol (ABV)
13.5%
Other wines from this producer
Producer | Wine | Product Code | Features | Style | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Domaine Chevrot | Santenay Blanc 1er Cru `Clos Rousseau` | CV802 | W | Factsheet | |
Maranges Blanc 1er Cru `La Fussière` | CV803 | W | Factsheet | ||
Maranges Rouge `Sur le Chêne` | CV804 | R | Factsheet | ||
Maranges Rouge 1er Cru `La Fussière` | CV805 | R | Factsheet | ||
Santenay Rouge 1er Cru `Clos Rousseau` | CV806 | R | Factsheet |