Wine Advisor
Denis Mortet, Chambertin Grand Cru 1999
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
Tasted at the Denis Mortet Chambertin vertical, the 1999 Chambertin Grand Cru has an intense bouquet so typical of the vintage. I find the fruit profile attractive: very pure with redcurrants, blueberry and violets, just a hint of soy in the background. The palate is full-bodied, packs quite a punch, but it is adorned with a silky texture, fine definition and there is a gentle crescendo towards sappy black fruit on the youthful finish. Yes, there is a feistiness to this Chambertin, a sense of ambition and yet after 16 years, it reveals succinct balance and a sense of grace that is perhaps missing in some other vintages. It will continue to give a decade's worth of pleasure. Tasted January 2016.
About the Producer
"We chose to invest in plots rather than buying grapes" Denis Mortet's vineyard has always been made up of a multitude of plots. Historically, Charles Mortet started in 1956 with one hectre of vines. Denis Mortet took over in 1992, the estate was made up of 4.5 hectares in the communes of Gevrey Chambertin, Chambolle-Musigny and Vougeot. In 1993, Denis and Laurence, his wife took over a 4 hectare estate including plots of Premier Cru Lavaux Saint-Jacques, village plots located in En Motrot, Au Velle and En Champs and also a plot in Marsannay at a locailty. The Longeroies. In 1997, they bought a plot located in En Combe du Dessus in Gevrey-Chambertin Grand Cru and in 2000 a few plots including En Deree village and a few Premier Cru plots. Today, Laurence, Arnaud and Clemence operate around a hundred plots on a vineyard stretching from Daix, on the Dijon plateau, to Vougeot.
