Chanson : Beaune 1er cru "Grèves" Domaine 2018

Characteristics and tasting advice for the Beaune 1er Cru "Grèves" 2018 from Domaine Chanson

Tasting

Color

The color reveals a beautiful, bright ruby hue, typical of high-quality Burgundian Pinot Noirs.

Nose

The nose opens with seductive aromas of ripe small red fruits, notably raspberry and cherry. Delicate floral fragrances enrich the bouquet, alongside harmonious spicy notes and a hint of vanilla from aging in oak barrels.

Palate

The attack shows lovely density and a silky texture. The tannins, well integrated and very refined, elegantly structure the wine. The whole stands out for its beautiful length and fruit-driven finish.

Food and wine pairings

This Beaune 1er Cru "Grèves" 2018 is a perfect match for roasted or braised red meats, notably grilled rib steak. It also pairs elegantly with game and dishes featuring fine mushrooms such as veal fondant with chanterelles or veal tenderloin served with porcini. Regional Burgundian cheeses such as Brillat-Savarin, Époisses, Cîteaux or Langres also make excellent partners.

Serving and cellaring

This wine can be enjoyed now and will continue to develop favorably through around 2038.

An elegant, structured Beaune premier cru, a classic expression of the climat of Grèves

The estate

Founded in 1750 in Beaune, Domaine Chanson is among the oldest Burgundy houses still in operation. Owned by the Bollinger group since 1999, it farms around 88 hectares: 43 historic hectares in Côte de Beaune and 45 hectares in Côte Chalonnaise. Led by Thierry Berger since 2025, the estate relies on parcel-by-parcel winemaking by climat, recent investments, and a completed conversion, with Côte de Beaune certified organic in 2024.

The vineyard

The Domaine Chanson vineyard in Grèves spans 2 hectares, located on the Mont Battois slope, facing Beaune, with an east-facing exposure. The climat of Grèves, which covers a total of 31 hectares, is one of the largest premier crus in the Beaune appellation. Its name comes from its distinctive geological composition: sandy, gravelly soils scattered with very small stones and silt. The subsoil reveals the presence of red clays and iron oxide, particularly concentrated in the upper part of the climat, giving the wine its characteristic tannic structure and distinctive minerality.

The vintage

The 2018 vintage stands out as one of the most successful years of the decade in Burgundy. After a water-rich winter and a spring without excess, the summer proved particularly hot and dry, with high temperatures settling in at the end of August. This summer heat encouraged sugar accumulation and allowed the grapes to achieve full phenolic ripeness. At Domaine Chanson, harvest began on September 5 under radiant sunshine and ended on September 16. The grapes were in excellent health, making it easy to select the finest raw material.

Winemaking and aging

The Beaune 1er Cru "Grèves" 2018 benefited from fruit-respectful winemaking, with a controlled whole-cluster fermentation. The wine was then aged in oak barrels in the estate’s historic cellars dating back to the 15th century, for a period of 14 to 18 months. The proportion of new barrels remained moderate and in the minority, allowing harmonious integration of oak without dominating the expression of the fruit and terroir.

Grape variety

100% Pinot Noir