A.F. Gros Gevrey Chambertin, Les Corvees 2019

1. Winery Background:

Domaine A.F. Gros is a highly respected family-run winery in Burgundy, France. The Gros family has a long history in the region, with several branches of the family producing exceptional wines. Anne-Françoise Gros is the winemaker at A.F. Gros, and she brings a wealth of experience and expertise, focusing on low-yield, high-quality viticulture. The estate is known for its meticulous vineyard management and the production of wines that emphasize terroir and elegance.

2. The Producer:

A.F. Gros is part of the larger Gros family wine dynasty, which includes several wineries. Anne-Françoise Gros leads the estate, known for its artisanal approach to winemaking and focus on producing top-quality Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from some of Burgundy’s most prestigious appellations.

3. The Vineyard:

The Les Corvées vineyard is located in the village of Gevrey-Chambertin in the northern part of the Côte de Nuits. It is known for producing powerful and structured Pinot Noir with deep flavors and a strong sense of place. The vineyard’s soils are rich in limestone and clay, providing an ideal environment for growing high-quality Pinot Noir.

4. The Wine:

A.F. Gros Gevrey-Chambertin Les Corvées 2019 is a red wine that showcases the character of this premier vineyard in one of Burgundy’s most famous villages. The wine is crafted with the goal of expressing the unique terroir of Les Corvées while maintaining balance, complexity, and elegance.

5. The Vintage:

The 2019 vintage in Burgundy was marked by warm weather and low yields, resulting in concentrated, powerful wines with ripe fruit flavors. Despite the warm conditions, the wines retain good acidity and balance, making 2019 an exceptional year for Burgundy, especially for Pinot Noir.

6. Vinification and Aging:

The grapes are carefully handpicked and sorted to ensure only the best fruit is used. Fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled vats, with regular punch-downs and pump-overs to extract color, flavor, and tannin. The wine is then aged in French oak barrels (typically 30% new oak) for 12-18 months, allowing it to develop complexity and integrate its flavors before bottling.

7. The Grapes:

• 100% Pinot Noir: The classic red grape of Burgundy, known for its elegance, complexity, and ability to reflect the terroir where it’s grown.

8. Tasting Notes:

• Color: Deep ruby red with garnet hues.

• Nose: The wine opens with intense aromas of red and black fruits, including cherry, raspberry, and blackberry, accompanied by earthy notes of forest floor, truffle, and subtle spices. Hints of vanilla and toast emerge from the oak aging.

• Palate: On the palate, the wine is full-bodied and structured, with firm but fine-grained tannins. The flavors mirror the nose, with ripe red and dark fruit notes, a touch of minerality, and well-integrated oak. The finish is long, with a balance of freshness and depth, showing the wine’s potential for aging.

• Aging Potential: This wine can be enjoyed young for its fruit-forward character, but it also has the structure to age gracefully for another 8-12 years, developing more complexity over time.

9. Food and Wine Pairing:

This wine pairs beautifully with a variety of rich, savory dishes:

• Game meats: Venison, wild boar, or duck.

• Beef: Grilled or roasted beef, especially with mushroom-based sauces.

• Poultry: Roasted chicken or turkey with herbs.

• Mushroom dishes: Mushroom risotto or sautéed wild mushrooms.

• Cheese: Aged cheeses like Comté, Gruyère, or mature Brie.

10. Service:

Serve at a temperature of 16-18°C (60-64°F) to allow the wine’s aromas and flavors to fully develop. It’s recommended to decant the wine for about 30 minutes before serving, especially if enjoyed in its youth, to soften the tannins and enhance its bouquet.

11. Storage:

Store the bottle in a cool, dark place at a consistent temperature of around 12-15°C (54-59°F). The 2019 vintage has great aging potential and can be cellared for 8-12 years, with optimal drinking between 2025 and 2030.

Scores:

• Wine Spectator: 92 points

• Wine Enthusiast: 91 points

• Robert Parker (The Wine Advocate): 92 points

• James Suckling: 93 points

The A.F. Gros Gevrey-Chambertin Les Corvées 2019 is a wine of both power and elegance, capturing the essence of the Gevrey-Chambertin terroir and offering a beautiful balance of fruit, structure, and depth. It’s a fantastic choice for those looking to enjoy a top-quality Burgundy Pinot Noir.