GHISLAINE BARTHOD

CHAMBOLLE

What the critics are saying:

“Ghislaine Barthod has fully arrived at the top of her game and she is undoubtedly one of the finest vigneronnes in the entire Côte. …If classically styled ultra pure and understated Chambolle floats your burgundy boat, then the Barthod wines should be on your very short list along with the likes of Roumier, Mugnier and de Vogüé as they really are that good.” Allen Meadows, Burghound, Issue 33, January 2009

“Ghislaine Barthod continues to render some of the purest, most expressively fruity and consistently excellent as well as age worthy Pinots in Burgundy.” The Wine Advocate

Anyone who doubts the reality of terroir need only taste their way through the range of Ghislaine Barthod wines each year to be converted. While the Domaine is small with just under six-hectares of vineyards (one of the reasons it flies under the radar) it includes a remarkable nine Chambolle-Musigny Premier Crus. These are all made exactly the same way and yet they all have very different personalities from each other: personalities that express themselves year in and year out, irrespective of the climatic conditions. That said, these Burgundies are not simply objects for terroir voyeurism; they are just far too delicious for that. To quote Terry Thiese, “...that would be like ignoring the rainbow so you can balance your chequebook.”

Jasper Morris puts it like this: “While each wine displays the idiosyncrasies of it particular terroir, the overall effect of tasting at the (Ghislaine Barthod) domaine is to come away with a palate coated in sensual Chambolle fruit.” Jasper Morris MW, Inside Burgundy.

Since 1999, the high quality produced by Ghislaine Barthod has ensured a powerful following amongst Burgundy enthusiasts in the know. The style is unashamedly intense, with both the perfume and sensuality that has made Chambolle such an iconic commune but also the density and structure to age (an aspect that Ghislaine strives for). The ‘08s are lovely supple wines and, as a whole, a step up from the 2007’s. It was yet another tricky season where the best producers managed to make outstanding wines through vigilance in the vineyards and a strict sorting come the harvest. Strong northerly winds late in the season were the saviour, drying out any excess moisture and thickening the skins so that extract and phenolic ripeness levels were good. Sugar ripeness was also fine here with baumes between 11.5 and 12.5 at harvest. The resulting wines are very fine and pure, fresh and elegant. In short, very Chambolle.

Winemaking: Restricted crop and meticulous attention to elevage are the simple keys to Ghislaine’s success. Her straightforward, no-nonsense approach helped introduce a sorting table to discard any grapes that were not up to scratch. Along with this, a gentle cool pre-maceration before fermentation is used to extract all the fruit's freshness and flavours; only natural yeasts are used and the grapes are destemmed before being fermented naturally in open-top wooden cuvees. The wines are then matured in barriques (roughly a quarter of which are new) for 12-18 months.

Vineyard Holdings: The total vineyard holdings of the Barthod family is 5.86 hectares (not including the new parcel of Les Gruenchers) predominantly Premier Cru and with small parcels of Chambolle villages and Bourgogne. The parcels of Premier Cru are: Les Charmes 0.25/ha; Les Cras 0.86; Beaux Bruns 0.73; Les Véroilles 0.37 (monopole in 1er cru); Les Baudes 0.19; Les Châtelots 0.23 and Fuées 0.24 and a small parcel of aux Combottes. As mentioned, from the 2009 vintage there is now a small parcel of 1er cru Les Gruenchers.

NOTE: The wines of Ghislaine Barthod are extremely rare. Speak to Stuart Northey or your account manager regarding a possible allocation.