In 1999, Champagne Bollinger took over the venerable Burgundy negociant house of Domaine Chanson Père & Fils, founded in 1750. Jean-Pierre Confuron is winemaker here since 2001. He is a well-known name for many Burgundy lovers thanks to his high-quality Domaine Confuron-Cotetidot which he runs together with his brother. That Chanson hired such a winemaker meant only one thing: now they would invest in high quality wines with character.
“Jean Pierre is a minimalist winemaker,” says Catherine Goutorbe at Domaine Chanson, “he doesn’t interfere, and he lets each terroir express itself.”
We have come to visit Chanson in Burgundy on a recent wine tour and we have just walked up (!) to the Chanson wine cellar and we are tasting some of the wines from the large portfolio. Yes, here you actually walk up to the cellar which is spectacularly situated in one of the round bastions, the corner houses of the Beaune medieval city wall.
We were impressed with the wines, both the whites and the reds. They are clean and well balanced, with a personal style. And with clear differences between the different appellations.
Tasting of whites vintage 2011
We start with the whites, which is not always the case in Burgundy!
Savigny-les-Beaune Hauts Marconnets Premier Cru 2011
Domaine Chanson Père & Fils
Pleasant flavours with almond tones and well integrated oak. A certain softness and quite a low acidity but well balanced.
Pernand-Vergelesses Les Caradeux Premier Cru 2011
Domaine Chanson Père & Fils
Very good. Quite steely and mineral. Long lasting flavours. The same soil structure as Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru but with eastern exposure, instead, Catherine tells us.
Beaune Clos des Mouches Premier Cru 2011
Domaine Chanson
Great complexity. A hint of honey and aromas of white flowers. The oak is well integrated. Good length.
Chassagne-Montrachet Les Chenevottes Premier Cru 2011
Domaine Chanson Père & Fils
Balanced and full bodied wine with a very long and pleasant after taste. Notes of honey and peaches.
Tasting red wines vintage 2010
On to the red wines:
Savigny Dominode Premier Cru 2010
Domaine Chanson Père & Fils
Clean and pure fruit. Good tannin structure, density in the mouth and fresh acidity.
Pernand Vergelesses Les Vergelesses Premier Cru 2010
Domaine Chanson Père & Fils
Typical Pinot nose of red berries. Good freshness. Full-bodied with intense flavours and a juicy fruity finish.
Beaune Clos des Mouches Premier Cru 2010
Domaine Chanson Père & Fils
Well balanced with some flavours from the oak (coffee, spices) and a small pleasant bitterness from the stems. Full-bodied and intense flavours.
Nuits Saint Georges 2010
Domaine Chanson Père & Fils
Powerful with distinct tannins. Ripe red fruit and a hint of autumn leaves. Complex and balanced.
A very interesting wine tasting that showed that Chanson is one of the most exciting negociants in Burgundy today.
[box type=”info” style=”rounded” border=”full”]Burgundy is an exciting wine district to visit. On site you have the opportunity to taste many excellent burgundies, if you choose to visit the right wine producers. BKWine regularly organises wine tours with visits to some of the very best winemakers in Burgundy. Why not come on one of our wine tours?[/box]
