Domaine du Clos Frantin, Chambertin Grand Cru, Burgundy, France, 2017

Producer Profile

The Bichot family have had connections to wine since 1831, when Bernard Bichot founded a wine trading business in Monthélie.

Bernard’s son, Hippolyte, bought the first of the family’s vines in Volnay and his son Albert gave the family business momentum in the late 19th century, settling in the heart of Beaune where they still follow their dream to this day. Having gone off to find adventure in the world, travelling extensively from the Arctic to the Antarctic, Albéric Bichot returned to Beaune and took over the business in 1996; and though he fully respects the family’s traditions, he is completely focused on the future. Albéric compares himself to the “conductor of an orchestra, proud to bring people and their talents together in a common project”. He tackles the many challenges faced by the region with energy, converting to organic viticulture in the Côte-d’Or vineyards, adapting to new markets as they emerge, and increasing the prestige and exposure of Burgundy wines worldwide. He remains convinced that the quality of the grapes is what determines the quality of the wine and is currently focused on work begun in the 1980s to secure supplies and expand vinification and cellaring capacity.

Viticulture

The plot is located in the upper part of the Climat, on a gentle slope where the soil contains a rather high proportion of marls. The grapes here ripen later in comparison to the estate's other plots. It is therefore among the last to be harvested.

Winemaking

Winemaking is minimal intervention, utilising a gravity fed winery for the careful vinification followed by cask maturation for 12 to 18 Months.

Tasting Note

This wine showcases the remarkable synergy between a noble grape variety and a truly exceptional terroir. The nose is elegant and expressive, offering layers of red and black fruits intertwined with delicate notes of green tea, tobacco, and dried fruits such as prune and date. With time, these aromas will evolve into deeper, more complex nuances—spice, forest floor, and hints of leather. On the palate, it is rich, full-bodied, and powerful, yet refined, with a long, velvety finish that lingers beautifully.

Food matching

Finely prepared roasted or stewed meats (beef, lamb, pork, game, duck), or with medium to mature cheeses.