Domaine Dominique Gruhier
Region // ÉPINEUIL, BURGUNDY
Size // 31 ha
Viticulture // ORGANIC CERTIFIED, BIODYNAMIC PRACTICE
Varieties // PINOT NOIR, PINOT GRIS, CHARDONNAY
Winemaker // DOMINIQUE GRUHIER
Established // 1990
www.bourgognevin.com
Since 1999 Dominique has been an early adopter of winemaking with little or no sulfites, before the term 'Natural Wines' was widely used. Dominique's wines are about precision, and decades of attention to detail on each aspect of the process reflect in his impeccably balanced and expressive wines.
Domaine Dominique Gruhier was established in 1990, whilst the winery named Notre Dame de Quincy Abbey has existed since the Cistercian monks started to make wine in 1212. The same way the monks selected the best vines, vineyards and “climats” in the famous areas of Côte d’Or, they did so in the Épineuil and Tonnerre region.
The Abbey was bought by the French National Trust in 1792, until 1970 when the Dominique Gruhier family took over the winery. Dominique inherited the Monks’ vineyards and slowly started to plant and buy new vineyards.
His domaine now has 31 hectares of vineyards all organically farmed since 2003. The oldest vines were planted in 1946 and its soil is still ploughed by horse today. Dominique is very attentive to the grape’s cycle of life, his philosophy sits between the respect of tradition while being open to what modernity can offer.
Notre Dame de Quincy Abbey housing the winery
The 800 year old Cistercian cellar
The grapes are hand-picked and the wines are made in an impressive modern winery of 650 square metres which is located 7 metres under the ground. We are usually used to tiny wineries in the Côte d’Or, here space is not an issue!
From the organic vineyards to the modern winery, the wines peacefully age in the original 800 year old Cistercian cellar.
Les Vins de Dominique Gruhier
PETIT CHABLIS (2022)
Style: White
Variety: 100% Chardonnay
Abv: 12.5%
Region: Chablis
Terroir:
Winemaking:
Tasting notes: On the palate, delicate candied citrus
PETIT CHABLIS SUR LES CLOS (2022)
Style: White
Variety: 100% Chardonnay
Abv: 13%
Region: Chablis
Terroir: Petit Chablis, Sur Les Clos is a very special vineyard is located on a plateau just above the Chablis Grand Cru, Les Clos. Its exceptional Kimmeridgian terroir sits atop a Jurassic bedrock formed around 155 million years ago. The soil is rich in clusters of small oyster fossils called Exogyra Virgula.
The vines have been organically farmed since 2009. Double guyot pruning. Surface area of the vineyard: 0,60 ha; Age of vines: 30 years old.
Winemaking: The grapes were handpicked when fully ripe and gently pressed. The static settling took place for around 15 hours, before preparing for the low-intervention indigenous yeast fermentation process. The fermentation is allowed to happen without additives in stainless steel tanks (50%) and in 400 litre barrels (50%) and will mature for 8 months. The impact of the oak is subtle and very well-integrated.
Before bottling after a final 4-months rest in stainless steel vats, Dominique chose to do a very light filtration to preserve the fruit purity and the expression of the wine. SO2 total: 47mg/l
Tasting notes: On the palate, delicate candied citrussy aromas with hints of mint and verbena - all lifted by an impressive vibrant saline minerality.
Its freshness will harmonize perfectly with seafood, crustaceans, and goat’s cheese. Also perfect as an aperitif with prawns and salmon canapés.
A “Petit Chablis” with a strong personality, a great length, and a long salivating finish.
BOURGOGNE ÉPINEUIL (2021)
Style: Red
Variety: 100% Pinot Noir
Abv: 13.5%
Region: Grand Auxerrois
Terroir: In some part of the Chablis and Auxerrois northern Burgundy regions, there are small Bourgogne Appellations which are still largely under the radar, places like Épineuil.
Here, we can find the Pinot Noir from the North, not far from the border of Champagne.
Dominique’s Bourgogne Épineuil comes from vineyards cultivated on Kimmeridgian limestone-clay soil dating from the Jurassic period 155 million years ago. A soil full of oyster fossils!
Winemaking: The vines are around 37 years old and are spread among 8 hectares from 10 different plots facing southeast and southwest. Organically farmed, the grapes were both hand and mechanically picked with an exceptional yield of 54hl/ha.
Dominique’s Bourgogne Épineuil 2021 is 80% destemmed before the fermentation process. The 20% whole bunches add another layer of fruit concentration and structure to the wine. Aged for 10 months in 228L old French oak barrels in a beautiful 800-year-old cellar.
Tasting notes: Pale, shiny garnet-ruby colour, in the glass. The aromas on the nose are expressive and straight forward: red and black fruits, violet flowers punctuated with mild sweet spices. The texture is smooth with soft velvety tannins.
It is best enjoyed with a slow cooked lamb shoulder roast, pork, duck breast fillet, some fish dishes, and suits the sweet and sour of mild spiced dishes such as tagines and curries.
A velvety, charming Pinot Noir with ageing potential of around 7 years.
BOURGOGNE ÉPINEUIL, L'Âme des Dannots (2022)
Style: Red
Variety: 100% Pinot Noir (100% Whole bunch)
Abv: 14%
Region: Grand Auxerrois
Terroir: L’Âme des Dannots is the name of a 1.75 hectare, 35 year old single vineyard. The vines face south west which allows for good sun exposure to ensure a full ripeness.
Winemaking: The grapes were carefully hand-picked for a 100% whole bunch fermentation process without the use of any sulfites, enzymes or added yeast. The grapes ferment in stainless steel vats and stay for approximately 3 weeks with daily pumping over, pushing down and sometimes delestages. Aged for 15 months in 228L French oak barrels (including 30% new oak) in the beautiful 800 year old cellar.
Tasting notes: In the glass, the wine is a bright ruby red colour. The nose is elegant with aromas of red fruits, cherry tarts, thyme, blood orange and white pepper. Very mineral.
The palate is lean with racy acidity and fine, velvety tannins. A full mouth feel for a long finish. Will pair with meat dishes, Asian cuisine and also cheeses, charcuterie, and chocolate puddings.
A slightly aged Pinot Noir from Burgundy. Complexity of aromas and taste are key here. Can also be kept in the cellar until 2028.