Griotte-Chambertin
Styles
Principal grape varieties
Accessory grape varieties
Terroir
Natural factors
- Unique lieu-dit "En Griotte", a place name derived from the Burgundian dialect words "cras" / "criot" denoting very stony soils.
- Bedrock of hard Bajocian limestone (Middle Jurassic), known as "calcaire à entroques" (crinoidal limestone), overlain by a layer ranging from a few decimetres to 1 metre in depth.
- Shallow, calcareous, strongly clayey yet well-drained soils formed from scree, clays, and red silts derived from weathering.
- Full east-facing exposure (levant) on the footslope of a small natural amphitheatre, between 240 and 250 metres in altitude, promoting rapid warming of the soil.
- Cool oceanic climate with continental influences; approximately 750 mm of rainfall per year, a mean annual temperature of 10.5 °C, and the thermal shelter provided by the Côte against the Morvan massif.
Human factors
- The climat's reputation was established as early as the 18th century; a ruling by the Dijon tribunal in 1931 recognised the appellation, followed by the AOC decree in 1937.
- 100% Pinot Noir N encépagement, vine density exceeding 9,000 vines per hectare; aged for several months to develop cellaring potential.
Product characteristics
- A dense yet elegant, velvety tannic structure; aromas of red fruits, spice, violet, and undergrowth.
- Significant ageing potential: a few years of cellaring reveal the wine's full potential, with an estimated drinking window of 10 to 20 years.
Terroir / wine link
- The shallow, stony clay soils over hard limestone ensure a balanced water regime, draining excess moisture while providing a restrained water supply during dry periods. (via Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0)
Facts drawn from the cahier's terroir-link section (Lien au terroir) by automatic interpretation — see the source.