Domaine Denis Bachelet
Domaine Denis Bachelet is a very small domaine situated in Gevrey-Chambertin. Until 1973, the grandfather of Denis was taking care of the vineyards, but his son chose to work in the chemical industry in Belgium, so it led to the decline of the vineyards. When Denis Bachelet took over the vineyards in 1983, it just covered 1.8 Ha and there was not even a cellar.
However, the plots of land were in renowned appelations and mainly planted with old vines. At present the domaine’s holdings just cover 4 Ha (mostly Pinot Noir vines) and all the work has been done by Denis and his son Nicholas, who joined his father in 2008. The portfolio includes a minute parcel in the Grand Cru Charmes-Chambertin (0.433 Ha, divided in 2 parcels), Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru “Les Corbeaux” Vieilles Vignes, Gevrey-Chambertin “Les Evocelles” (since 2011) and a Gevrey-Chambertin “Vieilles Vignes” produced from several plots with their unique terroir. Furthermore, the domaine also produces some Côte de Nuits Villages and Bourgogne Aligoté (the only white wine).
The Grand Cru, the Premier Cru and the “Village” Gevrey-Chambertin wines receive oak aging for up to 18 months in small barrels of which 33% - 50 % are new. All the wines are bottled unfiltered and are praised for their great longevity. Because of the extremely limited production and the great quality, the wines of Domaine Denis Bachelet have a cult following. The best recent vintages for the Grand Cru and Premier Cru are: 1999, 2002, 2005, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2014 and 2015.
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