Griotte-Chambertin Grand Cru

Griotte-Chambertin's recorded history stretches back to 1828, when the vineyard was described as 'En Griotte' in the land register. Jules Lavalle classified 2.9 hectares of the site as a 'Première Cuvée' in 1855, giving it one of the earliest formal quality recognitions in Burgundy, though he spelled it 'Grillotte.' The AOC was officially created in 1937 alongside the other Chambertin Grand Crus. In the 1960s, the négociants Aubry Père et Fils and Maison Thomas Bassot briefly bottled wine under the label 'Clos de la Griotte Chambertin,' though no formal clos exists today. Ownership of the vineyard has historically been fragmented among several Burgundian families, with the Mercier family of Domaine des Chézeaux emerging as the dominant landholder from 1982 onward.

• Vineyard recorded as 'En Griotte' in the 1828 land register; classified as 'Première Cuvée' by Jules Lavalle in 1855
• AOC formally established in 1937 alongside Chambertin and the other eight Chambertin Grand Crus
• The Mercier family of Domaine des Chézeaux acquired their first Griotte parcel in 1982 and a further 0.68 hectares before the 1994 vintage, becoming the largest single landowner
• In 2021, Charles van Canneyt of Domaine Hudelot-Noëllat purchased Domaine des Chézeaux and began recovering its vineyard parcels, making his first Griotte-Chambertin wine from the property in the 2023 vintage

Griotte-Chambertin sits on the lower part of the hillside in Gevrey-Chambertin, on the eastern, downhill side of the Route des Grands Crus. Its slope faces slightly northeast rather than the east or southeast aspect typical of its neighbors, an unusual orientation that contributes to its distinctive style. The vineyard is effectively enclosed by other Grand Crus: Chapelle-Chambertin to the north, Charmes-Chambertin to the south, and Chambertin-Clos de Bèze directly across the road to the west. The defining characteristic of the terroir is its very thin topsoil, only 10 to 30 centimeters deep, of pebble-strewn, chalky earth over a dense, rocky limestone base. This combination of minimal soil depth and excellent drainage is widely believed to underpin the wine's elegant, relatively early-maturing character.

• Located on the eastern, downhill side of the Route des Grands Crus; slope faces slightly northeast, distinguishing it from neighboring Grand Cru sites
• Bordered by Chapelle-Chambertin to the north, Charmes-Chambertin to the south, and Chambertin-Clos de Bèze across the road to the west
• Very thin topsoil of 10 to 30 centimeters over a solid, rocky limestone and chalk base; chalky, pebble-strewn surface soil is deepest toward the bottom of the slope
• The solid base-rock and excellent drainage are considered responsible for the wine's characteristic elegance and tendency toward earlier maturity compared to neighboring Grand Crus

Griotte-Chambertin is produced from Pinot Noir, the dominant variety across all the Chambertin Grand Crus. The AOC regulations technically permit up to 15 percent of Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, and Pinot Gris as accessory varieties, but this is virtually never practiced at Grand Cru level. The permitted base yield is 37 hectoliters per hectare, with a minimum planting density of 9,000 vines per hectare and a minimum grape maturity of 11.5 percent potential alcohol. The wines are celebrated for their deep color, soft fruitiness, and velvet textures, with aromas typically including cherry liqueur, preserved cherry, fine leather, and nutmeg, evolving toward truffle and forest floor with age. Despite sitting at a lower elevation than some neighboring Grand Crus, Griotte consistently produces wines of compelling elegance and finesse.

• 100% Pinot Noir in practice; AOC regulations allow minor accessory varieties in theory but these are never used at Grand Cru level
• Permitted base yield of 37 hl/ha; minimum planting density of 9,000 vines per hectare
• Wines are typically deep-colored with soft, red-fruit-forward aromas, velvet texture, and tannins that are firm but never coarse
• With age, Griotte-Chambertin develops secondary aromas of truffle, forest floor, leather, and venison; wines are generally expected to reach their peak between 10 and 20 years from vintage

Griotte-Chambertin is shared among a small but distinguished group of producers. Domaine des Chézeaux, now under Charles van Canneyt, holds the largest parcel at approximately 1.264 hectares and made its first wines under the new ownership from the 2023 vintage. Laurent Ponsot, who retained his lease when he left the family domaine in 2017, produces Griotte-Chambertin under his own label. Domaine Fourrier, led by Jean-Marie Fourrier, produces a highly regarded Vieilles Vignes bottling from old vines. Maison Joseph Drouhin has sourced wine here for decades and produces consistently elegant examples. Claude Dugat also produces small quantities from a personal parcel. From the 2024 vintage, Cécile Tremblay has joined as a new producer, farming a parcel of approximately 0.2 hectares.

• Domaine des Chézeaux (Charles van Canneyt): largest landowner with approximately 1.264 hectares; first wine under new ownership in 2023, vinified at Domaine Hudelot-Noëllat
• Laurent Ponsot: retained his metayage lease on the original 0.89-hectare Chézeaux parcel when he left Domaine Ponsot in 2017; produces under his own label
• Domaine Fourrier: own-rooted parcel producing Griotte-Chambertin Vieilles Vignes; Jean-Marie Fourrier uses minimal new oak and cold maceration with near-full destemming
• Maison Joseph Drouhin: long-established producer of Griotte-Chambertin; Claude Dugat and Cécile Tremblay (from 2024) round out the current roster of producers

Griotte-Chambertin holds Grand Cru status under the AOC system, formally established in 1937. It is the smallest of the nine Grand Crus in the Gevrey-Chambertin commune and among the smallest Grand Crus in all of Burgundy, surpassed in smallness only by Criots-Bâtard-Montrachet, Romanée-Conti, and La Romanée. Contrary to a common misconception, Griotte-Chambertin is not a monopole: the vineyard is owned and worked by multiple proprietors. The nine Chambertin Grand Crus form a roughly continuous band just south of the village of Gevrey-Chambertin, with Chambertin and Chambertin-Clos de Bèze generally regarded as one notch above the others in the hierarchy.

• AOC Griotte-Chambertin Grand Cru; one of nine Grand Crus in the Gevrey-Chambertin commune, all formally recognized in 1937
• At 2.69 hectares, it is the smallest Grand Cru in Gevrey-Chambertin; only Criots-Bâtard-Montrachet, Romanée-Conti, and La Romanée are smaller among all Burgundy Grand Crus
• Not a monopole: multiple owners and producers work the vineyard, each bottling under their own label or under the Domaine des Chézeaux label via metayage arrangements
• Permitted yield: 37 hl/ha; minimum 9,000 vines per hectare; minimum 11.5% potential alcohol at harvest

Griotte-Chambertin lies just south of the village of Gevrey-Chambertin, along the Route des Grands Crus, one of Burgundy's most celebrated wine roads. The vineyard can be viewed from the roadside and is easily visited as part of a Côte de Nuits driving or cycling tour. Gevrey-Chambertin itself is a vibrant wine town with restaurants, caves, and producer visits available, and it sits approximately 15 kilometers south of Dijon. Most producers of Griotte-Chambertin operate by appointment, given the tiny volumes involved. The surrounding Grand Crus, including Chambertin, Chapelle-Chambertin, Charmes-Chambertin, and Chambertin-Clos de Bèze, are all within easy walking distance of the Griotte parcel.

• Located along the Route des Grands Crus, south of the village of Gevrey-Chambertin, approximately 15 kilometers south of Dijon
• Bordered on three sides by other Grand Crus: Chapelle-Chambertin to the north, Charmes-Chambertin to the south, and Chambertin-Clos de Bèze across the road
• Most producers work by appointment given tiny production volumes; Gevrey-Chambertin village offers wine bars, restaurants, and cellar visits from numerous other domaines
• Gevrey-Chambertin is home to more Grand Cru climat vineyards than any other village in Burgundy, making it an essential destination for serious wine study