Chanson : Beaune 1er cru "Grèves" Domaine 2016

Tasting characteristics and advice for the Beaune 1er cru "Grèves" from Domaine Chanson 2016

Tasting

Appearance

The color reveals a bright, luminous ruby red.

Nose

The nose shows fine aromatic intensity focused on ripe red fruits, notably raspberry and cherry, alongside spicy notes and floral hints of violet. Nuances of mocha and dark chocolate add further complexity.

Palate

On the palate, this wine offers a silky, velvety texture with a medium to full body. The tannins are refined and perfectly integrated, while a lovely freshness brings balance. The finish is persistent and elegant, combining concentration and finesse.

Food and wine pairings

This Beaune 1er cru "Grèves" is an ideal match for refined white meats such as melting veal with chanterelles or caramelized pork dishes with heirloom vegetables. It also pairs very well with coq au vin or Burgundian cheeses such as Époisses.

Serving and cellaring

This Beaune 1er cru "Grèves" Domaine Chanson 2016 can be enjoyed now, while offering aging potential through around the mid-2030s.

An elegant, fresh Premier Cru from the Côte de Beaune

The estate

Founded in 1750 in Beaune, in Burgundy, the Domaine Chanson now spans 88 to 90 hectares, split between 43 historic hectares in the Côte de Beaune—now farmed organically with certification obtained in 2024—and 45 hectares acquired in 2023 in the Côte Chalonnaise within the Mercurey and Rully appellations. Owned by the Bollinger family group through Christian Bizot since 1999, the estate has been managed by Thierry Berger since 2025. Its distinctive character lies in its medieval bastion housing the cellars, parcel-by-parcel vinification that respects each climat, and recent investments including a modern winery inaugurated in 2013.

The vineyard

The climat "Grèves" is among the most renowned in the Beaune appellation, covering 31.33 hectares in total. Domaine Chanson owns 2 hectares of vines there, planted on the slopes of Mont Battois, facing the town of Beaune. The name "Grèves" refers to the sandy, gravelly nature of the soils, made up of sands, gravels, and small stones that are well suited to viticulture. The vineyard enjoys an eastern exposure and sits between 222 and 300 meters in elevation, creating varied microclimatic conditions. The upper section features sandy soils with rocky outcrops, while the lower sections contain more clay, lending structure and tannic character to the wines.

The vintage

The 2016 vintage in Burgundy proved particularly contrasting and demanding. After a mild winter that encouraged early budbreak, mid-April frosts caused significant damage across many parcels. May was cool and rainy, creating strong disease pressure. July and August alternated between storms and periods of intense heat, before sustained high temperatures at the end of August allowed the grapes to reach full ripeness. Harvest began on September 6 under excellent sanitary conditions. Despite the climatic challenges that produced one of the smallest crops in three decades, the vintage yielded wines that favor elegance, freshness, and finesse over power.

Vinification and aging

Following hand harvesting in early September, the Beaune 1er cru "Grèves" Domaine Chanson 2016 was vinified using traditional whole-cluster fermentation for around two weeks. Aging took place for fourteen to eighteen months in oak barrels in the historic cellars of the Bastion dating back to the 15th century, with a moderate proportion of new oak to preserve the expression of the terroir while adding subtle aromatic complexity.

Grape variety

100% Pinot Noir