Albert Bichot : Grands-Echezeaux Grand Cru Dom. du Clos Frantin 2023

A Côte de Nuits Grand Cru from Domaine du Clos Frantin

The estate

Albert Bichot is a Burgundy négociant-éleveur house founded in 1831 in Monthélie, based in Beaune since 1912 and now led by Albéric Bichot, the sixth generation of the family, who has been at the helm since 1996. It brings together six estates spread from the north to the south of Burgundy, including Domaine du Clos Frantin, an 18th-century property established in Nuits-Saint-Georges. Covering 13.2 hectares and farmed organically since 2012, this estate is the cornerstone of the house in the Côte de Nuits and produces several grands crus, including Grands-Échézeaux.

The vineyard

Domaine du Clos Frantin extends over 13.2 hectares in Nuits-Saint-Georges, in the heart of the Côte de Nuits, of which 3.9 hectares are classified as premiers and grands crus. Among these exceptional parcels is Grands-Echezeaux, one of the grands crus produced by the estate alongside Richebourg, Chambertin, Clos-de-Vougeot and Echézeaux. The vineyard has been farmed organically since 2012: chemical fertilisers and weedkillers have been replaced by compost and ploughing, while severe pruning and green harvesting, when necessary, yield concentrated grapes of outstanding quality. Harvesting is done by hand.

Vinification and ageing

True to its philosophy of minimal intervention, Domaine du Clos Frantin seeks above all to let the terroir and the village of origin of each cuvée express themselves. The grapes and wines are moved by gravity rather than pumping, in order to preserve the integrity of the fruit and its aromatic potential. Ageing takes place in oak barrels from a variety of origins (notably Tronçais and Allier) and with different levels of toasting, for a period of up to 12 to 18 months depending on the cuvée. This patient approach, based on regular tasting of the barrels, applies to the Domaine du Clos Frantin 2023 as it does to the estate's entire production.

Grape variety

This Grands-Echezeaux Grand Cru Domaine du Clos Frantin 2023 by Albert Bichot is made from Pinot Noir.