Domaine Denis Mortet Gevrey Chambertin Premier Cru Lavaux Saint-Jacques 2019

Cellar for up to 20 years. Decant 2 hours before serving.

This magnificent Gevrey Chambertin is the handiwork of Arnaud Mortet who took over the running of the domaine after his father Denis passed away in 2006. The Mortets have a fantastic reputation in Burgundy thanks to Denis’ close relationship with legendary winemaker Henri Jayer who acted as his mentor for many years. Today Arnaud carries on his father’s legacy and never stops striving to improve the quality of his remarkable Gevrey Chambertin wines.

The Premier Cru plot of Lavaux Saint-Jacques is set on a steep south-facing slope which helps ensure the vines get plenty of warm sunshine during the growing season. Temperatures at night are much cooler, allowing the vines to rest and the fruit to retain plenty of freshness and aromatics. The vines grown here have an average age of 60 years, producing small, concentrated grapes which add intense, complex fruit flavours to the final cuvee.

After being harvested by hand, the fruit is carefully sorted and fermented using wild yeasts. The young wine then matures in 70% new oak barrels for 18 months before bottling. This helps to soften the tannins, creating a velvety smooth mouthfeel with bright red fruit notes balanced by hints of woodsmoke and toast. Thanks to its complexity and power, this is a great Burgundy to cellar for a decade or two more, although it can also be enjoyed now with roast duck or earthy game dishes like guinea fowl or pheasant.