Domaine Denis Bachelet Cotes de Nuits-Villages 2012

When Denis Bachelet took on the domaine in 1983 it covered just 1.8 hectares. Not much, but what there was, was prime land – grand cru in Charmes-Chambertin, a bit of Gevrey-Chambertin on both village and premier cru level and one parcel in the regional Bourgogne appellation. All planted with old vines. But since his grandparents had retired in 1973 everything had to be built up from scratch again. There was no cellar, no equipment. The most recent acquisitions were in 2011 when more Côte de Nuits-Villages and Gevrey-Chambertin Les Evocelles were added to the domaine. At Domaine Bachelet the work is conducted along the lines of lutte raisonnée, sustainable viticulture. The grapes are 100% destemmed, then crushed for colour extraction. After a cool pre-fermentation maceration for up to a week, the vats get to work fermenting the juice with natural yeasts fermentation. As soon as fermentation has finished the contents of the vats are pressed off and left to settle in tank for a week before putting in barrel.