Gevray Chambertin Vieilles Vignes Les Marchais 2019 – Pierre Naigeon

The manual harvest of Gevray Chambertin Vieilles Vignes Les Marchais Pierre Naigeon was followed by careful, manual sorting of the grapes. The vinification of Gevray Chambertin Vieilles Vignes Les Marchais Pierre Naigeon was fed by gravity, without the use of pumps. A cold maceration, which lasted for six to seven days, was followed by a natural barrel-fermentation with indigenous yeasts from the grapes and lasted 10 to 15 days. The wine was aged ‘sur lies’ for 12 months in new oak. The wine was unfined and unfiltered, prior to bottling.

The 55 year old vines are grown in the single vineyard ‘Les Marchais’ which faces the 1er Cru plots of Lavaux St Jacques and clos St Jacques. It is one of the best plots in Gevrey Chambertin. The Guyot trained vines are planted at a high density with 3,500 vines per hectare. The vineyards are managed using organic fertilisers and without the use of herbicides or insecticides. Ploughing, pruning and green harvests all take place. The vineyard soils are made up of clay and limestone with large chalky pebbles.

Pierre Naigeon is a leading and renowned producer in the Côtes de Nuits. The Naigeon family has been established in Gevrey-Chambertin for over 150 years. They acquired some vines and started to produce wine in 1890. The estate remained reasonably small until 2003 when Pierre purchased more land increasing their holdings to 11.5 hectares. Pierre Naigeon believes passionately in sustainable farming, without the use of herbicides. He believes in non-interventionist winemaking and aims to produce wines full of fragrance, revealing the natural terroir. The average age of his vines is remarkably high, mostly over 50 years, which endows the wines with extraordinary quality, maturity and concentration.