Denis Bachelet
About Denis Bachelet
A very small Domaine operating out of modest, tiny cellars in Gevrey-Chambertin, Bachelet is renowned among Burgundy lovers for his exceedingly rare Charmes-Chambertin and 1er Cru les Corbeaux. Barely 4 hectares in totality, this tiny but impressive estate under the ownership of the mercurial Denis Bachelet has moved from strength to strength since 1983. Even in a region where tiny production and true artisans are the specialities, this eponymous label is a special name.
“Finesse before all else" is the overarching philosophy behind Bachelet’s wines, and this is exceedingly pronounced in each and every cuvée he produces. For many years this was essentially a one-man operation, granting Denis an unparalleled knowledge of his vines, soils and inner working of the winery. Yields are ruthlessly managed before the scythe is swung another time by very careful selection at harvest time, including a new vibrating sorting table. New oak is used generously but in a controlled manner.
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Vinous (91+)
Bright, deep ruby-red. Pure dark berries, tar and violet on the high-pitched nose. At once lush and juicy, with terrific definition to its flavors of black fruits, tar and mint. The substantial, strong tannins reach the front teeth. Finishes uncompromisingly dry but with the fat of the year. Bachelet tends to press early, as he's afraid of getting too much extraction of tannins in the presence of alcohol. This one needs a solid decade of bottle aging.Inc. GSTSG$5,556.78 -
Vinous (91-93+)
The 2010 Gevrey-Chambertin Les Corbeaux comes across as cool, inward and virile. It possesses stunning mid-palate presence and depth. Layers of black cherry, blackberry, spices and graphite emerge on the intense, palate-staining finish. Here, too, it is the energy and textural breadth that set the wine apart. This parcel was planted in 1920. I can't wait to taste the Corbeaux in bottle.Inc. GSTSG$5,448.69 -
Vinous (94-96)
Matured in 50% new oak, the 2018 Gevrey-Chambertin Corbeaux 1er Cru is a wine whose extraction Bachelet told me he has reduced from 2014, as he felt the clay soils made it too masculine. It is divine on the nose, offering pixelated red berry fruit mixed with oyster shell and limestone aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with filigreed tannins, perfect acidity and more freshness and tension than it knows what to do with. This is a sleek, wonderfully proportioned Gevrey that will age effortlessly.Inc. GSTSG$1,314.26 -
Vinous (93)
The 2020 Gevrey-Chambertin Les Corbeaux 1er Cru, matured in 50% new oak, has a complex bouquet with brambly red fruit, cranberry, sous-bois and iris flower scents that unfolds wonderfully in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy dark berry fruits that exert a gentle grip, structured and linear with a granular texture on the finish. Wonderful focus and sense of energy here. Superb.Inc. GSTSG$789.05 -
Vinous (92-94)
The 2021 Gevrey-Chambertin Les Corbeaux 1er Cru has a very tightly-knit bouquet that is actually less expressive than the Village at the moment. The palate is medium-bodied with brambly red fruit, very pure and harmonious, almost understated and yet with Bachelet's precision defining the tender finish. Irresistible.Inc. GSTSG$718.20
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Vinous (91+)
Bright, deep ruby-red. Pure dark berries, tar and violet on the high-pitched nose. At once lush and juicy, with terrific definition to its flavors of black fruits, tar and mint. The substantial, strong tannins reach the front teeth. Finishes uncompromisingly dry but with the fat of the year. Bachelet tends to press early, as he's afraid of getting too much extraction of tannins in the presence of alcohol. This one needs a solid decade of bottle aging.In BondSG$4,995.00 -
Vinous (91-93+)
The 2010 Gevrey-Chambertin Les Corbeaux comes across as cool, inward and virile. It possesses stunning mid-palate presence and depth. Layers of black cherry, blackberry, spices and graphite emerge on the intense, palate-staining finish. Here, too, it is the energy and textural breadth that set the wine apart. This parcel was planted in 1920. I can't wait to taste the Corbeaux in bottle.In BondSG$4,880.00 -
Vinous (94-96)
Matured in 50% new oak, the 2018 Gevrey-Chambertin Corbeaux 1er Cru is a wine whose extraction Bachelet told me he has reduced from 2014, as he felt the clay soils made it too masculine. It is divine on the nose, offering pixelated red berry fruit mixed with oyster shell and limestone aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with filigreed tannins, perfect acidity and more freshness and tension than it knows what to do with. This is a sleek, wonderfully proportioned Gevrey that will age effortlessly.In BondSG$1,180.00 -
Vinous (93)
The 2020 Gevrey-Chambertin Les Corbeaux 1er Cru, matured in 50% new oak, has a complex bouquet with brambly red fruit, cranberry, sous-bois and iris flower scents that unfolds wonderfully in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy dark berry fruits that exert a gentle grip, structured and linear with a granular texture on the finish. Wonderful focus and sense of energy here. Superb.In BondSG$714.00 -
Vinous (92-94)
The 2021 Gevrey-Chambertin Les Corbeaux 1er Cru has a very tightly-knit bouquet that is actually less expressive than the Village at the moment. The palate is medium-bodied with brambly red fruit, very pure and harmonious, almost understated and yet with Bachelet's precision defining the tender finish. Irresistible.In BondSG$649.00