Denis Bachelet

They say good things come in small packages, perhaps this should be rephrased to good things come from small parcels. From humble beginnings of just 1.8 hectares, Denis Bachelet comprises just over 4 hectares of vines, yet is renowned for producing some of the finest wines from Burgundy. The cellars in Gevery-Chambertin have been run by Denis since he was a teenager, producing his first vintage in 1981. Consulting his grandmother until very recently, he conducts a traditional approach to winemaking, using only natural yeasts and bottling without fining or filtration. During harvest any fruit that is not perfect is discarded. Vine age is old, averaging 75-80 years, but dating back 1907 in some cases - as a result of which yields are extremely small. Malolactic fermentation takes place as late as possible, as Denis believes this preserves the freshness of the wine, with maturation in up to 35% new oak for the Premier and Grand Crus. After a total of 15-18 months, the wine is hand bottled. These are elegant and extremely fine wines.