Domaine Fourrier
Domaine Fourrier has a long history in Gevrey-Chambertin. The estate used to be called Pernot-Fourrier and was founded by Fernand Pernot. It was one of the first wineries to export their wines overseas. Since 1994, Jean-Marie Fourrier took over the family domaine from his father Jean-Claude Fourrier when he was only 23 years old. He already gained experience by working at Domaine Drouhin in Oregon (USA) and at the legendary Domaine Henri Jayer in Vosne-Romanée.
He learned from Henri that making great wines begin in the vineyard with strict natural wine making techniques and minimal intervention in the winery. The domaine’s vineyard holdings are almost 9 Ha, mainly located in Gevrey-Chambertin, including parcels in Griotte-Chambertin Grand Cru and 7 Premier Cru sites. But he also owns plots in Chambolle-Musigny, Morey Saint-Denis and Vougeot.
Only the Pinot Noir grapes from vines over 30 years old are used to make the wines at the domaine. The grapes are carefully selected in the vineyards, destemmed and not crushed at all before the fermentation process. The wines are aged for approximately 16 – 20 months, with the use of only a small percentage of new oak (around 20%).
All the wines are bottled unfined and unfiltered and it is recommended to decant the wines if they are less than 5 years old. Especially his Griotte-Chambertin Grand Cru and his Gevrey-Chambertin Premier Cru “Clos Saint-Jacques” (0.89 Ha, vines planted between 1902 and 1910), including the “Cuvée Centenaire” are much sought after and gained the status of “cult wines”.
Unfortunately, these wines are produced in minute quantities, but are able to keep for 20+ years. Top vintages for Domaine Fourrier in general are: 2002, 2005, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2015.
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