2019 Gevrey-Chambertin, Champonnet, 1er Cru, Domaine des Varoilles, Burgundy

Pinot Noir is probably the most frustrating, and at times infuriating, wine grape in the world. However when it is successful, it can produce some of the most sublime wines known to man. This thin-skinned grape which grows in small, tight bunches performs well on well-drained, deepish limestone based subsoils as are found on Burgundy's Côte d'Or. Pinot Noir is more susceptible than other varieties to over cropping - concentration and varietal character disappear rapidly if yields are excessive and yields as little as 25hl/ha are the norm for some climats of the Côte d`Or.

For many years Domaine des Varoilles was owned by the Naigeon family of Maison Naigeon-Chauveau, until it was sold in 1990 to Swiss businessman Gilbert Hammel. The domaine has the monopoly of two adjacent premiers crus, La Romanée and the Clos des Varoilles, as well as holdings of grands crus Charmes-Chambertin and Clos de Vougeot. Jasper Morris MW, Burgundy Wine Director and author of the award-winning Inside Burgundy comprehensive handbook.