An emblematic cuvee here since the days of Laurent’s grandfather, from the smallest of the Gevrey Grands Crus. There is one precious piece of this very special wine, eleve, along with some other top cuvees, in the cellar under the repurchased family property, Chateau de Charmont. Medium-deep ruby, a natural luster. A fabulous scent, captivating in its delicacy and intricacy, which, with its subtle whiffs of cherry and stone, seems to support both the least and the most likely theories of the origin of the name (in the estimable view of jasper Morris MW): griotte cherries (from the former presence of cherry trees or the aroma and flavor of cherries often found in the wines) and criotte (“a little bit of chalk”), corrupted to Griotte. There is also an entirely enhancing very light toastiness from the wood, which Laurent describes as “demi-neuf”, the barrel having been “softened” by another wine for six months to reduce the influence of the new oak. On the palate, the exhilarating freshness and persistence are as remarkable as the melting softness of the texture, resulting from the exquisite refinement of the tannins.
Edouard Delaunay, Griottes-Chambertin 2018 6x75cl 95-96/100 WOFW
Top Score: 95-96 points
‘An exceptional wine that is extremely precise and refined.’
Price IB:
£1,875.00 6 x 75cl Bottles
1 in stock
| Colour | RED |
|---|---|
| Vintage | 2018 |
| Country | France |
| Region | Burgundy |
95-96 points The World of Fine Wine
91-95 points Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy
The nose is exceptionally intense and powerful, and is reminiscent of cherry and blueberry, fruit jellies, with nuances of gingerbread and cinnamon, juniper. Lovely start to the palate that is airy, velvety, dense and delicate all at the same time. Flavours of jam and raspberry liqueur are complemented by perfectly integrated acidity. Slightly mineral on the finish with notes of graphite that are typical of this terroir. An exceptional wine that is extremely precise and refined.
Family pride. Griotte-Chambertin, the smallest and rarest of the Grands Crus of Gevrey-Chambertin, was for a long time the emblematic wine of Maison Edouard Delaunay, until 1993 when Mr Delaunay felt ill and sold the Estate. Throughout the 20th century, the House had been renowned as being one of the most important Burgundy Estates thanks to the quality of its wines which were distributed worldwide, to important French institutions (Elysée, Sénat) and were showcased at prestigious wine retailers (Nicolas..) and the major travel companies of the time (wagon-Lits, Orient Express, Air France). 25 years later, Laurent Delaunay repurchased his father’s winery and its ancestral home the Château de Charmont. Laurent has ambitious plans to restore the wines to their former glory, re-establishing the name Edouard Delaunay among the finest wine producers of Burgundy. The team have since won 39 medals in the past few years. While Laurent prides himself on the fine quality of all his wines, he has a particular fondness for his Griotte-Chambertin. This smallest, and most rare, of the Côte d’Or’s Grand Crus yields a red wine of exceptional depth and complexity.
