2004 Gevrey Chambertin Christian Sérafin

Tasting Notes

Burghound, February 2006, Score: 85-88

Fairly strong reduction makes the nose difficult but the flavors are rich, full and sweet with generous amounts of Gevrey earth plus a supple, forward and relatively easy finish. This is bigger and more structured than the Bourgogne but only marginally more interesting. Drink: 2009+

Matthew Jukes, January 2008, Score: 17.5

Remember that the 2006 en primeur wines will not arrive in your cellar until the end of 2008 and even then they will be too young to drink - so wallow in this beauty which is ready to go and of the highest quality! Here is my note and score out of 20 made back in October 2005 - 17.5+, pure, rich, focused fruit, with a layered, intense palate. Great depth and lenght mark this as one of the best village Gevreys this estate has made. Balance is the key - in the past these wines have been too oaky for my taste, but in 2004 it is spot on. I must admit that everything has gone to plan with this wine. It is mellow and drinking beautifully.

Gevrey-Chambertin

The greatest village in terms of notable grand cru vineyards, Gevrey Chambertin has no less than 9 of them including its most famous Chambertin and Chambertin Clos de Bèze, and includes a premier cru vineyard that many people deem grand cru in quality - Clos St. Jacques. It encompasses approximately 400 hectares under vine also making it the largest top quality vineyard area in the Côte de Nuits. It has many followers who seek out its deeply coloured, robust and textured wines. They are often firmer than the neighbouring appellations of Chambolle Musigny and Vosne Romanée and can take several years to soften once released. Due to its size and reputation, the list of excellent producers is noteworthy and many are worth seeking out.

Domaine Sérafin Père et Fils

If you ever want to get in touch with Christian, you either have to call him as the rooster crows in the morning or long after the sun has set. The rest of the time, he is working out in the vines or deep in his cellars. He is that kind of a vigneron. A quintessentially Burgundian-looking vigneron, Christian is quiet and absolutely dedicated to his hardworking craft. He has been making wine for his family domaine since the 1960s when he took over the reins from his late father. A moderate traditionalist, Christian uses semi-organic methods in his vineyards - his goal being able to produce the healthiest and ripest fruit in any given vintage. He uses little racking and does not filter or fine. Not shy of new oak, he uses 50% on his straight Bourgogne and often 100% on the rest of his cuvées depending on their concentration. For ageing, Christian uses three types of barrels - Séguin Moreau, Taransaud and Francois Frères - which all lend different characters and elements to his wines. For him balance is essential and barrels have their part to play. His wines tend to be ample and fleshy, the richest ones will need some cellaring in order to better integrate the spicy, cedarwood flavours.

Pinot Noir

Undeniably capricious, Pinot Noir is known as one of most difficult varieties to grow. Its wines tend to be light in colour and only moderately structured, but can also be highly aromatic and profoundly sensual. When young, they often display fresh raspberry, cherry and/or blackberry flavours, and with a bit of age can develop into the most complex and enthralling wines imaginable. Although it is found in various parts of the world such as California, New Zealand and South Africa, its best results come from the core of Burgundy where it flourishes in its cool climate and predominantly limestone-rich soils and in the exquisite Blanc de Noirs of Champagne.