No new estate in Burgundy has gotten me more excited in the last year than Harmand-Geoffroy.
In the market today, discovering a new rising star has become increasingly rare due to the combination of Burgundy-mania and the sheer number of established estates producing great wines year after year.
So when I tasted the '01 Gevrey-Chambertin "Vieilles Vignes" I was absolutely floored by its sappy, dense, structure with oh-so-much soul -- everything a great Gevrey should have.
I quickly ordered the full line of 2002's and have been absolutely thrilled with every bottle I have opened.
They are big, masculine wines with with all the dense red fruit you could want and undeniable elegance and purity. A serious backbone of tannin and acid will ensure a long life ahead.
This is one of your last chances to get Red Burgundies from the classic 2002 vintage, and they come from one of Burgundy's newest stars!
Harmand Who?
Having collaborated formerly with Domaine Vachet-Rousseau, Gérard Harmand gleaned intimate knowledge of Gevrey-Chambertin's terroir.
Later, he took on winemaking responsibilities from his father-in-law, Lucien Geoffroy, and the wines gained increasing prominence and quality. The vines are farmed organically, and the lowest yields are sought.
Since Lucien took control, the wines have achieved greater elegance while maintaining the classic notes of earth and game that accompany the wild, dark, berried fruit typical of Gevrey-Chambertin.
Luckily for us, the Geoffroy family parcels are profusely littered with old vines in some of the Village's finest vineyards.
2001 Gevrey-Chambertin "Vieilles Vignes"
From the oldest parcels owned by the domaine.
2002 Gevrey-Chambertin
Cultivated in many lieu-dits scattered around Gevrey, this has great character and richness for a village wine.
2002 Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru "la Bossière" (monopole)
Grown deep in the Combe de Lavaux, the same valley that Clos Saint-Jacques calls home. The cooling effect of abundant winds adds a raciness to balance the masculinity of the Gevrey terroir.
2002 Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru "Lavaux Saint-Jacques"
50 year old vines. Just around the bend from la Boissière and abutting Clos Saint-Jacques, the Lavaux has broader fruit and more density than it's counterpart.
2002 Mazis-Chambertin
Also from 50 year old vines. A compact, youthful wine with intensely concentrated complexity and structure.