Domaine Henri Boillot : Chambertin Grand cru 2020

Characteristics and tasting advice for the Chambertin Grand Cru 2020 from Domaine Henri Boillot

Tasting

Appearance

The wine displays a deep ruby-red hue, evolving toward garnet tones, characteristic of the Chambertin appellation.

Nose

The nose reveals lovely aromatic complexity with notes of ripe red and black fruits, notably cherry and blackcurrant. Floral nuances of rose and violet accompany mineral touches reflecting the limestone and marl subsoil of the terroir. With aeration, more evolved aromas of forest floor and spices gradually emerge.

Palate

On the palate, this Chambertin Grand Cru 2020 expresses a confident structure supported by firm, refined tannins. The vintage’s concentration shows through a generous, full-bodied texture, balanced by persistent freshness. The finish lingers at length, revealing all the depth and complexity of this great Burgundian terroir.

Food and wine pairings

This Chambertin Grand Cru is an ideal match for roasted or sauced game meats, such as venison or wild boar. It also pairs beautifully with beef bourguignon, a dry-aged rib steak, or duck with fruit. Soft, washed-rind aged cheeses such as Époisses also make an excellent pairing.

Serving and cellaring

This Chambertin Grand Cru 2020 benefits from being decanted about one hour before serving to allow the aromas to open up. The ideal serving temperature is between 15 and 16°C. This wine offers an aging potential of at least ten to fifteen years, allowing it to develop its full complexity over time.

A seductive Burgundy Grand Cru combining vibrancy and richness

The estate

The Domaine Henri Boillot traces its origins back to 1885 with the Boillot family in Burgundy. Henri Boillot joined the family estate in 1975 before establishing Maison Henri Boillot in 1996. In 2005, he bought out the family shares and renamed the domaine after himself. Based in Meursault, the estate spans 15 to 19 hectares, planted to both white and red varieties. Since 2008, his son Guillaume has joined him and has been in charge of the vinification of the red wines. A pioneer of ultra-sustainable viticulture as early as the 1990s, the estate has established itself as a benchmark for its white wines and is building a growing reputation for its outstanding reds.

The vineyard

The Chambertin Grand Cru covers around thirteen and a half hectares within the commune of Gevrey-Chambertin, in the Côte de Nuits. This legendary terroir, recognized since the 13th century, rests on complex soils composed of Jurassic limestone and marl. The vineyard’s southeast-facing exposure, between 280 and 325 meters above sea level, provides optimal conditions for Pinot Noir to ripen. This geological and climatic setting gives Chambertin wines their distinctive character, combining structural power with aromatic finesse.

The vintage

The 2020 vintage in Burgundy is recognized as exceptional across the region. The year was marked by warm climatic conditions, encouraging early and complete ripening of the grapes. These conditions made it possible to produce concentrated, ripe red wines while preserving the acid-tannin balance necessary for extended aging. The 2020 vintage is characterized by wines that are both approachable in their youth and endowed with excellent aging potential.

Vinification and aging

The Chambertin Grand Cru 2020 from Domaine Henri Boillot is crafted using a traditional, low-intervention approach. Vinification respects the integrity of the fruit and favors an authentic expression of the terroir. The methods employed minimize technical manipulation to allow Chambertin’s complexity to express itself naturally. Aging in oak barrels enables the wine to build structure while preserving the aromatic purity that is central to the estate’s philosophy.

Grape variety

100% Pinot Noir