Denis Bachelet Gevrey Chambertin Les Corbeaux 1er Cru 2018 (750ML)

96 DE / 94-96 VM / 91-94 JM / 91-93 WA / 91-93 BH / 17 JR

Denis Bachelet's three parcels total 0.44ha and are situated next to Mazis-Chambertin, with some influence from the cool breezes wafting down from the Combe de Lavaux. Mostly planted with vines planted in the 1920s, this is one of the denser wines in the Bachelet portfolio, located on clay soils. Bramble and black cherry fruit flavours are supported by some tannic grip and deftly handled 50% new oak.--Tim Atkin MW, Decanter

Matured in 50% new oak, the 2018 Gevrey-Chambertin Corbeaux 1er Cru is a wine whose extraction Bachelet told me he has reduced from 2014, as he felt the clay soils made it too masculine. It is divine on the nose, offering pixelated red berry fruit mixed with oyster shell and limestone aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with filigreed tannins, perfect acidity and more freshness and tension than it knows what to do with. This is a sleek, wonderfully proportioned Gevrey that will age effortlessly.-- Neal Martin – Vinous Media

Beautiful glowing purple. A very elegant nose, poised fresh raspberries, with a little cream from the wood. Again that light sandalwood touch (is this from a particular tonnellerie?) Elegant distinguished style of fruit with very good length. Denis and Nicolas have consciously reduced extraction for this cuvée, which I think is the right way to go – Les Corbeaux offers subtlety rather than muscularity. Jasper Morris – Inside Burgundy

Aromas of wild berries, cherries and dried flowers, framed by a deft touch of new oak, preface the 2018 Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Les Corbeaux, a pretty, medium to full-bodied wine that's supple, expressive and charming—reflecting a conscious effort to tame this sites tendency to structure and muscularity that Bachelet has undertaken for several years now. Whether readers prefer the additional mid-palate volume of the Corbeaux or the more ethereal, intellectual Evocelles will be a matter of taste this year. William Kelley – The Wine Advocate

Note: also from 60 to 70 year old vines
Tasting note: Corbeaux is always better in warmer and drier vintages and 2018 suits the terroir perfectly. The overtly sauvage and liqueur-like aromas speak of red and black raspberry, poached plum and plenty of earth character. There is excellent volume and richness to the seductively textured medium weight plus flavors that coat the palate with dry extract while exhibiting very fine power, depth and persistence on the balanced though notably firm finish. This too is very good and worth your interest. Outstanding – Allen Meadows - Burgundy

Vines mainly planted in the 1920s. Cool spot next to Mazis and Chambertin so usually a bit closed. Barrel sample.
A half-way point between the red sweetness and lightness of Les Evocelles and the darker character of Gevrey Vieilles Vignes. Bachelet suggests that clay soils give a more ‘masculine wine’ and he is reducing the amount of extraction – less pigeage and pressing earlier. Firm, structured but just right for a different style, there’s a firmness that is the terroir expressed not the extraction overdone. Dark fruited under the structure and in balance for a long life. Persistent. (JH) Jancis Robinson