Domaine Fourrier is one of the finest addresses in Gevrey Chambertin. We cannot talk about Gevrey Chambertin without mentioning Domaine Fourrier. Jean-Marie Fourrier completed a 6 months internship for Henri Jayer and also Domaine Drouhin in Oregon for some time, though Jean-Marie has a clear sense style of wine he wishes to produce (which is stylistically not similar to Henri Jayer’s), Jean-Marie has picked up the attention to detail from the legendary Henri Jayer.

Jean-Marie Fourrier took over the 8.68 hectare estate from his father in 1994 at the age of 23. Jean-Marie is blessed with very old vines around Gevrey Chambertin, most of his vineyards were planted before World War 2. Since he took over the estate from his father, he started bottling each premier cru vineyard separately.

In Domaine Fourrier, there is a 3-4 day maceration at natural cellar temperature, 100% destemmed grapes, manual punch down 2-4 times a day and no pump over. Around 20% new oak is used in 2017. The average yield of Domaine Fourrier in 2017 is between 45-50 hl/ha. The wines are aged in barrels for 12 months then transferred to stainless steel tanks for 6 months.

Fun fact: Domaine Fourrier is much more more well-known outside of France as only 1% of Domaine Fourrier wine stays in France, 99% is export.

Domaine Fourrier managed to produce some stunning 2017 wines, perhaps their very old vines naturally lowered their yields and retained acidity and concentration very well. For Gevrey Chambertin and Fourrier fans, 2017 is a vintage that should not be missed!

Tasting Notes (tasted on 19/02/2018)

Note: Some of 2017 Fourrier wines were still going through malolactic fermentation, the wines still needs another year of barrel ageing before being bottled. Please only take the reviews and scores of the 2017 as general guideline.

Morey Saint Denis Clos Solon 2017 (Barrel Sample)

Morey Saint Denis Clos Solon is one of the couple vineyards of Domaine Fourrier outside of Gevrey Chambertin. Domaine Fourrier owns 0.55 ha of Clos Solon, a village lieu-dit in the middle of Morey St Denis. Bright oak spices, subtle yet transparent Violette. A nice depth of dark berries and underbrush tones of Morey St Denis. Good richness and concentration. (86-87/100)

Gevrey Chambertin Vieilles Vignes 2017 (Barrel Sample)

The Gevrey Chambertin Vieilles Vignes is a blend of 12 parcels, totaling 3.50 ha. The vines for this cuveé is around 60-70 years old. The concentration here is superb, fragrant dark berries, red cherry. Lovely refined fruits and good depth. Slightly lower acidity than the Clos Solon. (87-88/100)

Gevrey Chambertin Aux Echezeaux 2017 (Barrel Sample)

Aux Echezeaux is a village lieu-dit located at the southern end of Gevrey Chambertin, next to Charmes Chambertin and bordering Morey Saint Denis. Fourrier owns 0.47 ha vineyards in Aux Echezeaux that was planted in 1930. There is a darker shade of cherry fruit in this compared to their Gevrey Chambertin Vieilles Vignes, ‘musky’ Morey earth and fruit with a good energy. It is still fizzy on the palate (malolactic fermentation still ongoing). (87-88/100)

Gevrey Chambertin 1er Cru Les Cherbaudes 2017 (Barrel Sample)

Les Cherbaudes is an interesting Premier Cru plot located right below Mazis Chambertin and north of Chapelle Chambertin. Fourrier owns 0.67 ha of Cherbaudes densely planted in 1940. A step up in richness and depth, good intensity of bright blueberries, detailed fruits and minerals with a fine oak spice layer. Almost Grand Cru weight. (89-91/100)

Gevrey Chambertin 1er Cru Combe aux Moines 2017 (Barrel Sample)

Combe aux Moines is located at the northern end of Gevrey Chambertin, fairly high up in altitude. Fourrier owns 0.87 ha of Combe aux Moines, the wines were planted in 1928. The Combe aux Moines is fresher and more tension than Les Cherbaudes. Sleek and detailed dark and red fruits with a solid mineral backbone. Great depth and elegance in harmony. (90-92/100)

Gevrey Chambertin 1er Cru Clos Saint Jacques 2017 (Barrel Sample)

Clos Saint Jacques knocking on Grand Cru doors. Fourrier is the smallest owner in Clos St Jacques, owning 0.89 ha of vineyard that was planted in 1910. The 2017 Clos Saint Jacques is a league above the other Fourrier Premier Cru Gevrey Chambertin. Incredibly deep with penetrating fragrant and exotic spices. Rich dark berries and powerful backbone, this wine is in for the long-haul. Very powerful and intense fruits and minerals of Gevrey Chambertin. Great tension and length. (93-95/100)

Griotte Chambertin Grand Cru 2017 (Barrel Sample)

The Griotte Chambertin is the flagship wines of Fourrier, it is also the only Grand Cru vineyard in Domaine Fourrier. (Fourrier makes many other Grand Cru wines but they are bought in grapes, ie. negociant). A mere 0.26 ha vineyard planted in 1928. The 2017 Griotte Chambertin is intensely deep and aromatic, truly Grand Cru weight and power. Maximum concentration and depth of dark fruits with deep earth and minerals radiating from the background. Stunning length and amplitude. (95-96/100)

Bonus Bottles

Gevrey Chambertin Vieilles Vignes 2016

The 2016 Fourrier Gevrey Chambertin Vieilles Vignes is incredibly aromatic and fragrant for a village wine. Great depth and concentration, almost like a 2015 but with less flashy ripe fruits and more sleek and classic. Vines planted in 1928-1955. The nose offers a nice lift and spicy fragrant. Subtle black tea fine tannins. This 2016 is more masculine than expected. Drink from 2023 onwards. (88-89/100)

Gevrey Chambertin 1er Cru Les Cherbaudes 2016

A densely planted vineyard in 1940. 12,000 vines/ha, 80 cm wide. The Gevrey Chambertin Les Cherbaudes carries a great weight and concentration with a nice energy that reminded me of 2010 red Burgundy. Ripe yet sleek and harmonious. Generous dark fruits with good depth, a darker tone of fruit compared to his premier crus on the northern end of Gevrey Chambertin (Combe aux Moines, Les Goulots and Champeaux). (90-92/100)

Gevrey Chambertin 1er Cru Combe aux Moines 2016

The concentration and weight of Combe aux Moines is very close to Les Cherbaudes, showing more richness of dark fruits and sleek minerals. A nice intense bouquet of mixed dark and red berries, cool Gevrey Chambertin terroir earthy scent. The vines here were planted in 1928, and the yields are very low. Good weight and acidity balance. Drink from 2027 onwards. (91-93/100)