Gevrey Chambertin, Lavaux St Jacques, 1er Cru,

Denis Mortet's death in the early part of 2006 was a tragedy that shook the wine world. He was able to make the 2005s and fortunately his talented son Arnaud was waiting in the wings to take over. Denis was already leaning towards making a more gentle style of Burgundy in 2006 and Arnaud seems to have even more whole-heartedly adopted this philosophy, moving closer to the wines of great uncle, Charles Rousseau. During fermantation, extraction is very light and much less new oak (no more than 40%) is employed during élévage. Whole bunches are used during fermentations for all but the basic cuvées, to varying degrees depending on the vineyard and vintage. Arnaud has refined his style and is now at the top of his game, making effortless, crystalline red Burgundies that rate among the finest in the Côte.