Wine Advisor
Robert Groffier, Chambolle Musigny 1er Cru Les Sentiers 2018
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
The 2018 Chambolle-Musigny Les Sentiers 1er Cru is backward on the nose, some reduction here that is suppressing the fruit (a common trait it seems within the appellation.) The reduction follows through on the palate, which is a shame because it feels as if there is some pleasant fleshy red fruit underneath. But, it lacks freshness and feels a bit soft 'n squishy on the finish. Tasted blind at the Burgfest 2018 red tasting.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
The 2018 Chambolle-Musigny Les Sentiers 1er Cru is well defined on the nose with blackberry, freshly tilled soil, chalk and a light marine influence. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, a fine bead of acidity, quite focused and demonstrates a lovely briny, quite spicy finish that feels very cohesive. This should fulfil its potential from barrel.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
The 2018 Chambolle-Musigny Les Sentiers 1er Cru suffered a lot of <em>millerandage</em>, according to winemaker Nicolas Groffier. That is reflected on the nose, which is very intense and concentrated, delivering almost opaque black fruit that slightly occludes the terroir profile. The palate is well balanced and the 100% whole bunch, normal for this vineyard, is completely subsumed by the fruit due to its concentration. There is just a touch of glycerol here. Succulent and showy toward the finish, to the degree that I might just prefer Groffier’s excellent Hauts Doix this year.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
The 2018 Chambolle-Musigny Les Sentiers 1er Cru is well defined on the nose with blackberry, freshly tilled soil, chalk and a light marine influence. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, a fine bead of acidity, quite focused and demonstrates a lovely briny, quite spicy finish that feels very cohesive. This should fulfil its potential from barrel.
About the Producer
The Groffier family are among the best wine makers in the Côte de Nuits. Originally founded by Robert Groffier’s father, Jules in the 1950s, the domaine is now run by Robert’s grandson, Nicolas. The domaine consists of almost 8 ha of fine vineyards, including 1 ha of Bonnes Mares, almost 0.5 ha of Chambertin Clos de Bèze and a full 1 ha of Chambolle-Musigny Les Amoureuses (the biggest single owner of this vineyard). The wine making technique is flexible and the proportion of stems to be retained is decided annually. nowadays, up to 20% of stems are retained, compared to 50% 20 years ago. The destemed grapes are transferred to stainless steel vats without crushing and cooled to 10-12 degrees so the natural yeast fermentation starts 4-5 days later – to allow further extraction of colour from the skins. Frequent short pigeages are done, and the temperature is allowed to rise up to 35 degrees – which retains even more colour to the liquid. After 17-20 days maceration, the temperature descends to 20-22 degrees and after pressing age in oak, the percentage of new one vary per cuvée and vintage – from none to the Bourgogne to up to 100% for the grand crus. The wines are only racked once, usually only a year after the vintage. The wines return to vat as the new vintage is put into barrel, so only one vintage is in barrel at any time. The wines are bottled without fining or filtration.
