Domaine Fourrier Gevrey-Chambertin Vieilles Vignes 2018

Domaine Fourrier has worked vines in Gevrey-Chambertin since Fernand Pernot founded the estate in 1950, and this village red comes from its older parcels on the Côte-d'Or. The slope sits on Jurassic limestone and marl, soils that drain freely and hold the cool night temperatures of the Côte's diurnal swing, so Pinot Noir ripens slowly and keeps its acidity. Old vines carry small crops of concentrated fruit with deep root systems that draw a savoury, mineral edge into the wine. Fermentation is followed by eighteen months in French oak, most of it used, so the barrel lends structure and slow oxygen exchange rather than obvious wood, softening tannins while the fruit stays in front. The 2018 growing season was warm and generous, which shows in the ripeness here. It pours a medium ruby, with ripe black cherry and red berries on the nose over an earthy, undergrowth background and a light floral lift. The palate is smooth and gently structured, the fruit carried by fine tannins and fresh acidity into an earthy finish. Serve at 16 degrees, ideally decanted for half an hour, and pour it with roast duck, beef or a mushroom dish.