Albert Bichot : Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er cru Monopole Château Gris 2021

Tasting characteristics and advice for the Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er cru Monopole Château Gris 2021 Albert Bichot

Tasting

Colour

The colour displays an elegant ruby-red hue.

Nose

The nose is beautifully refined, revealing aromas of red and black fruits, notably raspberry, strawberry and blackcurrant. Delicate floral notes of rose, violet and peony intertwine harmoniously, accompanied by subtle, well-integrated woody touches.

Palate

On the palate, the wine charms with its silky, refined texture. Generous fruit flavours are supported by a sophisticated, perfectly melted tannic structure. The balance between minerality and power brings complexity and depth, while a lovely sense of freshness lingers through the finish.

Food and wine pairings

This Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er cru Monopole Château Gris 2021 is the ideal match for roasted or slow-cooked meats such as beef, lamb, duck and game. It also pairs beautifully with beef fillet with a confit shallot sauce or with aged semi-hard cheeses.

Serving and cellaring

The Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er cru Monopole Château Gris 2021 can be enjoyed now or kept in the cellar to allow its structure to refine over time.

An elegant, mineral Nuits-Saint-Georges monopoly Premier Cru by Albert Bichot

The estate

Founded in 1831 in Monthélie by Bernard Bichot, the Albert Bichot House is today one of Burgundy’s most prestigious family-owned, independent wine businesses. Run since 1996 by Albéric Bichot, who represents the sixth generation, the House owns around 107 hectares of vines spread across six estates throughout Burgundy, from Chablis in the north to Beaujolais in the south. A pioneer of organic viticulture, Albert Bichot began converting its vineyards in 2012, obtaining Ecocert certification in 2014 for organic farming and in 2018 for organic wine. The house was awarded Red Winemaker of the Year 2017 at the International Wine Challenge, confirming its internationally recognised excellence.

The vineyard

Château-Gris is an exceptional monopoly in Nuits-Saint-Georges, acquired by Albert Bichot in 1978. The vineyard covers 3.4 hectares on terraced slopes, at an altitude between 260 and 330 metres. The vines, averaging over 40 years old, benefit from an east-facing exposure on steep hillsides. The clay-limestone soils date from the Bathonian, a geological stage of the Middle Jurassic, giving the wine its distinctive minerality. The château itself, built in the 18th century, takes its name from its roof covered with grey slate, a feature that sets it apart from traditional Burgundian roofs. Since 2018, the vineyard has been certified organic.

The vintage

The 2021 vintage in Bourgogne proved particularly challenging, marking a return to the region’s classic climatic conditions after three consecutive warm years. The growing season began with devastating frosts in early April, followed by a cool May and a wet summer punctuated by hail threats. These difficult conditions led to a significant drop in yields of around 30% compared with 2020. However, the remaining grapes benefited from greater aromatic concentration and phenolic ripeness. Late harvesting allowed for an extended ripening period, enabling the production of outstanding wines despite the low volumes. Nuits-Saint-Georges was among the appellations that performed best in this demanding climatic context.

Vinification and ageing

The Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er cru Monopole Château Gris 2021 is vinified with a terroir-respectful, low-intervention approach. The grapes are harvested by hand at optimal ripeness. Vinification is carried out parcel by parcel with precise temperature control. Ageing takes place in carefully selected French oak barrels, with different toast levels to preserve the fruit expression while bringing an elegant structure. This method allows the oak to integrate harmoniously without masking the distinctive minerality of Château-Gris’s limestone terroir.

Grape variety

100% Pinot Noir