Fourrier Griotte Chambertin Vieille Vignes Grand Cru 2018-2019-2020 (OWC3)

2018

Burghound 91-94: A beautifully elegant, cool and airy if somewhat restrained nose requires aggressive swirling to coax the spicy essence of red and purple fruit that are trimmed in floral and soft earth wisps. The super-sleek and refined medium plus weight flavors exude a highly attractive inner mouth perfume while exhibiting fine length on the bitter pit fruit-inflected finish. This isn't a monster of concentration but I really like the delivery.

Wine Advocate 94-96: Scents of rose petals, raspberries, cherries and blood orange, framed by a discreet application of new oak, introduce Fourrier's 2018 Griotte-Chambertin Grand Cru, a full-bodied, deep and concentrated wine with a voluminous core of lively, even sappy fruit. Long and fine-boned, this is one of Fourrier's most elegant wines this year, as well as the most incipiently profound.

2019

Burghound 94-97: This is also quite aromatically restrained with its combination of dark cherry, plum liqueur, earth and once again, overtly spicy aromas. There is excellent volume and focused power to the stunningly, and seductively, textured flavors that are at once concentrated and muscular yet refined and very stylish, all wrapped in a hugely persistent, stony and impeccably well-balanced finale. This is very likely to be among the finest example of Griotte that Fourrier has produced, ranking with the brilliant 2005 and 2010 versions. In sum, this is a knockout!

Wine Advocate 94-96: Unfurling with notes of rose petals, raspberries and plums, complemented by hints of raw coca and sweet soil tones, the 2019 Griotte-Chambertin Grand Cru is full-bodied, enveloping and multidimensional, its satiny attack segueing into a deep and concentrated mid-palate, concluding with a long, mouthwatering finish. Supple and seamless, it's an immensely charming wine in the making.

Decanter 97: A superb wine, from a parcel planted in 1928 that was purchased by the domaine in 1955. At 0.28ha, it doesn't yield much: a normal year is five barrels, this year three. The lovely, expressive black cherry fruit shows nuanced mineral and floral notes, while the texture is silky and subtle. It is less powerful than the Clos-St-Jacques, yet still has the density and structure to make it worthy of long ageing.

2020

Burghound 93-96: This is more elegant still with its wafting nose of spice, violet, earth and exotic tea. The caressing and rich big-bodied flavors possess a positively gorgeous mouthfeel while culminating in a chalky, balanced, palate coating and hugely long finale. In a word, marvelous.

Wine Advocate 94-96: The 2020 Griotte-Chambertin Grand Cru unwinds in the glass with a lovely bouquet of plums, wild berries, raw cocoa, rose petals and violets. Full-bodied, ample and velvety, it's seamless and concentrated, with a fleshy core of ripe, succulent fruit and a long, expansive finish.