Domaine Chanson
Beaune Clos des Fèves 1er Cru Domaine 2018
Beaune, Burgundy
This vineyard of 1.90 hectare is ideally located on mid-slope close to the hill of Corton-Charlemagne. Same soil structure and height as its famous neighbor. The only difference is the East exposure of the “Caradeux” which makes of this plot an exceptional “terroir” providing unique mineral characteristics.
VINEYARD
Clos de Fèves is a Chanson “monopole” located in the very heart of the Premier Cru vineyards of Beaune. The vineyard, covering 9.4 acres, is located on mid-slope. It makes a complete, rounded wine, with striking depth and minerality.
Grape Variety: 100% Pinot Noir
Soil: Clay and limestone
WINEMAKING
The wine is for the most part left alone, as the philosophy is one of “infusion rather than construction.” The wine is vinified 100% whole cluster to extract a deeper color and enhance the structure and aromatic complexity. The major condition is that the grapes must be perfect in terms of ripeness and condition. The reds have a perceptible style as a result: beautiful aromatics with complex spice complementing fruit on the nose and palate. Chanson also strives to maximize the preservation of fresh fruit characteristics, which is why grapes are chilled immediately on arrival in a proprietary tunnel that provides a very quick chill with no oxygen exposure. Reds then get a long cold soak and maceration. Then, Champagne-style fractional pressing is practiced to gently extract the purest juice. Malolactic fermentation takes place in barrel on the fine lees with no batonnage. Oak is used conservatively, aging for only 17 months in casks.
VINTAGE
Jean-Pierre Confuron, Chanson’s winemaker, describes the 2018 vintage as follows: “an extraordinary vintage in every sense. The growing season veered from too wet to too hot and finally too dry, which made deciding when to pick a real challenge. We ultimately decided to begin on the 1st of September with our domaine vineyards. Yields were quite variable though overall quite good and potential alcohols were also varied at between 13 and 14.5%. As we usually do, the vinifications were done using 100% whole clusters for all the wines, save for the Nuits villages because it was hailed on, and thankfully, there were no difficulties with stoppages.”
Overall we can say that the wines produced in 2018 express the richness and pleasantness of the vintage while keeping the elegance and the balance that Domaine Chanson is known for.
TASTING NOTE
Dark color. Intense aromas of cherries and small dark olives. Well-structured, ample and complex, true to its terroir. Very long and fleshy finish with well-integrated tannins.
Color
Red
Grape Varieties
Pinot Noir
Appellation
Beaune, Burgundy
Alcohol
13%
Suggested Retail Price
$122.99
Reviews
"Delicious and intense"
Burghound (90-92) - June 15, 2020 "A background touch of wood surrounds notably ripe and openly floral-suffused aromas of mainly dark berry liqueur-like scents. The delicious and intense middle weight flavors possess a slightly finer mouthfeel along with good energy on the saline-inflected finish. This is very Beaune, which is to say a generous yet serious wine that should age well over the medium-term."
"Lush but controlled"
Vinous - May 4, 2020 "The 2018 Beaune Clos des Fèves 1er Cru offers a mixture of red and black fruit on the pretty, well-defined nose, which shows more Pinoté than its peers. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins and fine acidity. Quite harmonious, with a lush but controlled finish."
"A generous yet serious wine"
Wine Enthusiast - May 4, 2020 "A background touch of wood surrounds notably ripe and openly floral-suffused aromas of mainly dark berry liqueur-like scents. The delicious and intense middle weight flavors possess a slightly finer mouthfeel along with good energy on the saline-inflected finish. This is very Beaune, which is to say that should age well over the medium-term."
Trade Materials
Chanson Beaune Clos des Fèves 1er Cru Domaine Bottle Shot
Added October 23, 2019 -
Other Wines by this Producer
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Gevrey-Chambertin La Perriere 1er Cru
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Beaune Clos des Mouches Blanc 1er Cru Domaine
Chanson is one of the major owners of Clos des Mouches with a vineyard of 4.5 hectares. This is a sunny terroir which benefits from an ideal location on the hill at the southern end of the vineyards of Beaune on a spur pointing towards Pommard. A plot of 2 hectares on the upper side of the hill is planted with Chardonnay on a limestone subsoil covered with sand.
Pernand-Vergelesses 1er Cru Les Caradeux Domaine
Pernand-Vergelesses, Burgundy
This vineyard of 1.90 hectare is ideally located on mid-slope close to the hill of Corton-Charlemagne. Same soil structure and height as its famous neighbor. The only difference is the East exposure of the “Caradeux” which makes of this plot an exceptional “terroir” providing unique mineral characteristics.
