Description
This should surely be considered for Grand Cru status; the politics though are that there are just a handful of local owners in les Saint Georges, including the Hospices, but, at neighbouring Vaucrains, there are 22, and those owners are more dispersed throughout the region. Christophe has 42 ares that produce a fairly healthy 8 barrels. The wine itself is truly exceptional and the closest 1er Cru to 100 points for me. The 2011 offers brilliant, if unusual complexity of soft red fruits, strawberry sorbet with thyme and even a hint of ripe green olive. A real gourmet wine with huge peaks of fruit concentration alongside a powerful, sinewy body. Stunning. 2024 to 2036
Producer Information: Domaine Jean Chauvenet
These cellars, carefully managed since 1990 by Jean's son in law Christophe Drag, are just off the main road. Fork right as you go north out of town and you will be treated to some of the best around. Vineyard holdings are relatively large here but in Bousselots, Vaucrains and Perrieres; Christophe has some of the finest 1er Cru vineyards in the Cotes de Nuits. Truly outstanding in recent years such as 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2015, 2016, 2018 and 2019. He harvests into very small crates and so cleaner and less damaged fruit can be moved directly into the fermentation vats without the need of auger or pump. Almost all the fruit was de-stemmed and there is a cool pre-fermentation maceration for 5 to 6 days.
There are two 1er Cru vineyards north of town and two south. As the village wine incorporates some of the 1er Cru and finer village vineyards it is a very good buy for drinking in 2 or 3 years.
Christophe often delays harvest for the higher vineyards such as Damodes and Perrieres.
