Domaine Denis Bachelet is one of the more mysterious estates in Gevrey Chambertin to many of us, one of the reasons is because of their small production, they only produce 5 red cuvees with mostly Bougogne and Cote de Nuits and only one Grand Cru. However, please don’t be deceived by this low-key estate as their wines are some of the best in Gevrey Chambertin, their quality very often punches above its appellation, and arguably Denis Bachelet produces the best Charmes Chambertin. Note: Denis Bachelet has a nickname “King of Charmes Chambertin” amongst the consumers.

This Domaine doesn’t normally do tastings but Denis Bachelet’s son, Nicolas Bachelet kindly received us. Nicolas started working alongside with his father in 2008 after a stint in New Zealand. When Denis Bachelet started in 1983, he only had 1.8 ha of vines in Gervey Chambertin. Slowly they acquired more vineyards in Gevrey Chambertin village and Cote de Nuits (recently in 2011). Today, Domaine Denis Bachelet owns 4.3 hectares of vines and produces around 20,000 bottles a year.

Winemaking Style

Denis Bachelet wines are 100% destemmed, aged in 20-50% new oak for 18 months. They use barrels from a few coopers: Tonnellerie Remond, Tonnellerie Rousseau, etc. The wines offers brilliant concentration yet the extraction is gentle and tannins are soft and silky.

Tasting Notes

Bourgogne Rouge 2017

The Bourgogne rouge comes from 2 plots, Pressonnier & Grand Champs, total 0.5 hectares. 20% new oak. This Bourgogne Rouge is a solid entry level wine that offers great concentration and juicy red currant fruits, impressive depth that are rarely seen in Bourgogne level. The Bourgogne Rouge was interestingly the last to start malolactic fermentation. Supple layer of oak spices on the finish, a precise Bourgogne Rouge. (85/100)

Cote de Nuits 2017

The Cote de Nuits comes from 7 parcels within Brouchon, Les Evocelles, total a bit more than 1 hectare. The vines are on average 50-60 years old. This Cote de Nuits is a step up in weight compared to their Bourgogne Rouge. Earthy and lower-pitched fruits of Gevrey Chambertin. Great concentration and lifted spices with chubby dark cherry. A Cote de Nuits outperformance. (86/100)

Gevrey Chambertin 2017

The Gevrey Chambertin is from a blend of a few vineyards: En Deree, Champerriere, La Justice, and Sylvie (right below Champerriere). Total 1.5 hectares. The Gevrey Chambertin offers a beautiful array of dark exotic fruits, blueberry, dark cherry, juicy dark plums, bubbly spices and in-depth earthy minerals. Impressive concentration for a village Gevrey Chambertin, tannins are smooth with a gentle layer of toasted spices finish. (87-88/100)

Gevrey Chambertin 1er Cru Les Corbeaux 2017

9 barrels produced in 2017. Denis Bachelet owns three parcels within Les Corbeaux, of which the largest parcel’s vines were planted in 1920. Les Corbeaux in a way resembles the vineyard next to it, Mazis Chambertin. Sweet mixed berries, transparent fruits with an airy mineral quality. High toast gloss, energetic with lovely complexity and depth. Tannins are smooth yet firm. Lovely perfumed nose with a refreshing acidity backbone. A refined Premier Cru. (91-92/100)

Charmes Chambertin Grand Cru 2017

Only 8 barrels produced from 0.43 hectares of Charmes Chambertin. Denis Bachelet’s parcel is located in Aux Charmes and right across Chambertin. This Charmes Chambertin is utterly gorgeous, perfumed rose petals, densely packed black cherry and blueberries. Lots of crunch and substance. Sappy proper Grand Cru weight with charming fruits and fine-grained tannins. The acidity reminded me of 2014 reds, very pure and transparent with nuance. The king of Charmes Chambertin! (93-94/100)