Domaine Chevrot Maranges Sur le Chene Rouge 2019  £36.59

Domaine Chevrot, Maranges `Sur le Chêne` Rouge

Based in Maranges, the domaine is run by brothers Pablo and Vincent, who took over from their parents in 2007 after gaining experience in Bordeaux and Central Otago. They farm the 19-hectare estate organically and have introduced horse-drawn ploughing (for less compacted soil) alongside larger barrels to refine the style of the wines. These excellent changes have helped raise the domaine’s profile.

Situated just 10 kilometres south of Puligny and Chassagne-Montrachet, Maranges has been gaining attention due to its wines' increasing quality and affordability. Domaine Chevrot is nestled in the heart of the appellation and is widely viewed as one of its leading producers. Their wines don’t receive SO2 treatment until bottling, due to Vincent being allergic, resulting in under 50 mg/l for red wines and under 60 mg/l for whites.

The brothers constantly look to improve their approach in the vineyards and the cellar. As a result, Domaine Chevrot became one of the pilot research wineries for the BIVB (Burgundy Wine Board) and currently leads a program on combatting the spread of Brettanomyces in Burgundian cellars. This research greatly benefits not only their wines, but those of Burgundy in general.

Sur le Chêne's vineyard features a beautiful steep, south-facing terrace of limestone gravel and granite soils, which are deep but poor and well-drained. The neighbouring Cozanne river produces large diurnal differences. In the vineyard, compaction and mechanization are limited as much as possible, and fertility and microbiology boosted by nourishing the soils with manure and green manure alone. Pruning is carried out in respect of sap flow, with each branch trellised and leaves removed from the grape areas carefully in each plot, in order to produce healthy fruit and flavourful wines.

After a mild winter, the domaine endured rare frosts on the 5th and 15th April, when budbreak had already commenced. Despite efforts to increase temperatures on the lower slopes using candles and smoke, some of the Chardonnay grapes were lost to frost damage. However, the frost and associated moisture did manage to replenish water reserves in the soils in preparation for the hot summer that followed, which peaked at 42.9°C towards the end of July and prompted the need for careful vineyard management to protect the grapes. By harvest, the grapes had reached the perfect levels of phenolic ripeness and although yields were reduced, the remaining fruit was in pristine condition and of the highest quality.

The grapes were harvested, drip-dried and carefully sorted to keep only perfectly ripe, healthy clusters. During the harvest gravity was used to make the transfers, so as to limit crushing as much as possible. Whole bunches accounted for 30% of grapes in the vats, and the fermentation was followed up with indigenous yeast for a complete and harmonious process. The juice remained in vats for 15 days, before being softly extracted. The wine was then matured for 18 months, of which 14 months were spent in French oak barrels (15% new), and 4 months in stainless steel. No sulphites were used.

On the nose, Maranges 'Sur le Chêne' rouge offers delicious notes of red berries, redcurrant and cherry, together with hints of mocha and cacao. The palate is smooth and steady, bringing fresh fruit flavours with a suave texture.