Gevrey-Chambertin “Les Evocelles” Reviews

The 2009 Gevrey-Chambertin Les Evocelles is elegant, sleek and refined. It shows wonderful nuance and detail in its aromas and flavors, not to mention considerable class. The vines here are 45 years old. The percentage of whole clusters was 30% here and new oak was 40%. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2029. Biodynamic farming and non-interventionalist winemaking are at the heart of the approach at Domaine de la Vougeraie. The 2009s saw roughly a 25 days of maceration (including a week of cold soak) with one punch down a day. Once in barrel racking was kept to a bare minimum. A number of wines were bottled in late 2010 and early 2011. I tasted these wines with winemaker Pierre Vincent in March 2011.

Tasted out of the barrel at the Domaine. This is a special cuvee from a tiny parcel planted in 2002 at a phenomenal 36,000 vines per hectare. The wine includes 80% whole bunches and was matured in two year-old barrels. It has a slightly reductive nose that is difficult to assess at the moment. The palate is very intense with black cherry, black olive, a touch of blueberry and even a hint of marmalade from the sweetness. Good acidity, good crispness and precision towards the intense finish. Tasted November 2010

Delicate, floral raspberry nose. Bright and fresh, with lively acidity, and light tannins to give it grip and balance. Drink 2012-2018

(from vines on the Brochon side) 30% whole clusters. A high-toned red berry fruit nose that includes notes of raspberry and cranberry are liberally sprinkled with wet stone notes that introduce detailed, intense and lively middle weight flavors where more minerality can be found on the balanced, pure and harmonious finish. This is another really lovely villages and absolutely worth a look. 2016+