CHAMBERTIN GRAND CRU

Background

The historic Domaine Bertagna once belonged to the Cistercian monks, famous for founding the Clos de Vougeot in the 13th century. The estate’s cellars and vineyards are located in the heart of the village nearby the Château and its ancient Chapter House. The winery has been owned by the world-renowned Reh family since 1985 and is managed by Eva Reh-Siddle. With 18 wonderfully diverse appellations across the region, 12 of which are Premier and Grand crus, Bertagna is among the top ranking Domaines in Burgundy. A desire for perfection and emphasis on quality, coupled with significant investments in technology and vineyard management, result in some of the region’s most compelling wines. Domaine Bertagna is perhaps best known for its elegant, silky red wines, but it also produces one of the world’s rarest white wines – Vougeot 1er Cru Blanc “Les Cras” from the Côtes de Nuits.

Winemaking

The soils are well-drained and stony, with a thin layer of chalky subsoil over a deep rocky base. Significant mineral deposits of manganese and iron oxide give a mahogany color to the soil. After strict pruning and a mid-season green harvest to control yields, the grapes are hand-picked in small boxes with hand-sorting at the vineyard and the winery to ensure only the finest grapes. Destemming is followed by pre-fermentation, cold maceration is followed by alcoholic fermentation at 82°F, with malolactic in barrels. Only natural yeast from the grapes is used, the wine is manually punched down and left to ferment in tanks for 21 to 28 days. The wine is aged in French oak barrels (40% new) for 15 to 18 months.

Tasting Notes

This wine has a lovely nose of wild cherries and roasted mushroom. Smooth tannins and flavors of blackberry dominate the palate, leaving a nice, round finish in the mouth. Positively explosive, with the depth and length of a true Grand Cru. This wine is a great match for aged cheese, roasted or grilled chicken, stuffed turkey, and game dishes.