2019 Domaine Chavy-Chouet Volnay “Sous la Chapelle”, Burgundy, France

ABOUT THIS WINE

“Under the chapel” this vineyard starts at the hillside in the heart of Volnay on clay-sand soil. It’s aged in 20% new barrels for 10 months.

ABOUT THIS PRODUCER

Domaine Chavy-Chouet is a 15-hectare estate in Burgundy spread over 5 communes in the Cte de Beaune: Puligny-Montrachet, Meursault, St. Aubin, Volnay, and Pommard. Although the Domaine has been family-owned and managed for seven generations, it has only been since Romaric Chavy succeeded his father (Hubert) in 2014, that the wines have achieved top-tier status, and that Romaric has been hailed as among the rising stars in Burgundy.

The Domaines vineyards, with vines generally exceeding 40 years of age, descend largely through Romarics grandfather, a vineyard owner in Puligny-Montrachet, and his grandmother, who hailed from Meursaults Ropiteau family. Until 1982, when Romarics father starting bottling a few cuvees, the family sold all the fruit under contract to Bouchard Pre et Fils. In 2006, when Romaric joined his father at the estate, they began making and bottling all of their wine.

The Domaine is essentially organic (not certified) and follows the principals of lutte raisone. The regimen is resolutely non-interventionist and includes plowing. After harvest and triage, the fruit is lightly pressed and allowed to settle. The must is then passed by gravity into tank and fermented over indigenous yeasts. To maintain purity, there is no batonage. The wine ages on its lees in Gillet barrels (maximum of 20% new) for 9-12 months and is bottled unfined and with only light filtration if necessary.