DOMAINE FOURRIER Gevrey-Chambertin Vieilles-Vignes 2014 Bottle

Description

IN BRIEF
Domaine Fourrier Gevrey Chambertin Vieilles Vignes 2014, from the domaine’s oldest vines on brown limestone and clay, shows graceful evolution: clear garnet with an orange tinged rim, an immediate layered nose of black cherry, Morello, plum compote, dried rose and violet over forest floor and porcini. Gentle elevage in modest new French oak adds discrete clove and cedar while preserving perfume. The palate is compact, muscular and finely knit, bright red and black fruit giving way to grainy tannins, saline minerality and earthy beetroot, finishing with bitter chocolate and dried herb. Drink 2024 to 2036; serve 14 to 16°C, decant if early. Critics: Wine Advocate 90 to 92, Jancis Robinson 16.5, Vinous 91.

ABOUT THIS WINE
Domaine Fourrier Gevrey-Chambertin Vieilles-Vignes 2014 is drawn from the domaine’s oldest vines, planted on classic Gevrey soils of brown limestone and clay, which in 2014 produced wines of concentrated flavour and serious backbone despite a cool, uneven season. Meticulous sorting in the vineyard and gentle vinification preserved primary perfume while extracting fine, ripe tannin. The wine saw élevage in French oak with a modest proportion new, used to support rather than dominate the fruit, and careful cellar handling has retained clarity and textural purity.

The wine pours a clear garnet with an orange-tinged rim that signals graceful evolution. The nose is immediate and layered, opening with black cherry, Morello and bramble complexity, then revealing darker notes of plum compote and preserved cranberry. Floral lift of dried rose petal and a hint of violet sits above a savoury undercurrent of forest floor, dried porcini and ironstone. Oak contributes discreet spice and a whisper of clove and cedar rather than overt toast, while tertiary notes of leather and tobacco begin to emerge with air.

On the palate the 2014 is compact, muscular and finely knit. Bright red and black fruit leads the attack before a firm, grainy tannic spine asserts itself, giving the wine structure and genuine ageing potential. Acidity is balanced and energetic, driving a mid-palate seam of earthy beetroot, black tea and a saline mineral thread that lifts the finish. The texture is silky rather than rustic, though the tannins will benefit from further time to soften fully. Flavours evolve from fresh fruit to savoury complexity, ending with a persistent close marked by bitter chocolate, dried herb and a stony mineral echo.

Suggested drinking window 2024 to 2036. Serve at 14 to 16°C and decant if drinking early. Food pairings include roast venison with juniper, beef bourguignon, wild mushroom risotto with shaved comté, duck breast with cherry jus or a charcuterie board of cured meats and hard cheeses. Overall this Vieilles-Vignes is quintessential Gevrey: powerful, terroir-driven and rewarding with medium-term cellaring.

THE WINE ADVOCATE (90-92)
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
Drink Date: 2018 - 2032
The 2014 Gevrey Chambertin Vieilles Vignes has a pure and fragrant bouquet with red rose petals infusing the vivid red cherry and fresh strawberry fruit. The palate is medium-bodied, quite tight and reserved on the entry with a keen line of acidity, correct and linear towards the fresh finish that is uninteresting in giving much away at the moment. Afford this 3-4 years in bottle to get the most from it.

JANCIS ROBINSON 16.5 points
North of village, bottom of Champerrier plus a bit from Combe du Bas, planted 1928. 10,000 vines/ha. This came from his father. Coincidence that it was planted same year as the Aux Échezeaux from his mother.
Mid to light blueish crimson. Quite sweet and grainy. Lots of substance and pzazz with a hint of bitterness on the finish. (JR)

VINOUS 91 points
Drinking window: 2020 - 2026
Moderately saturated medium red. Complex nose melds strawberry, flowers, game and mocha. Deeper than the Morey-Saint-Denis Clos Solon; brisk, salty and concentrated, offering considerable personality and sex appeal. This very sappy village wine shows excellent clarity and length, finishing with harmonious tannins.
Stephen Tanzer. Tasting date: November 2016

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ABOUT DOMAINE FOURRIER
Domaine Fourrier is a respected estate in the Côte d'Or, renowned for producing elegant, terroir-driven Pinot Noir that emphasises floral grace, purity of fruit, and a silky texture. The domaine cultivates a selection of prime plots, including several premier cru sites and village-level vineyards, characterised by classic limestone and marl soils that favour finesse, early aromatic lift, and a persistent yet refined structure.

The domaine is family-owned and was brought to prominence by Bernard Fourrier. Today, Corinne Fourrier manages the estate, continuing the family tradition with a hands-on, artisanal approach. Decisions in the vineyard and cellar are made to preserve site expression and varietal clarity while promoting balanced, healthy vine growth.

Vineyard practices prioritise low yields, meticulous canopy management, and selective hand harvesting to ensure that fruit arrives at the winery in optimal condition. Many plots are farmed with minimal intervention to protect soil life and maintain balance in the vines. Each plot is vinified separately to preserve its individual signature, allowing for precise blending decisions.

Winemaking is refined and understated. Fermentations are carried out parcel by parcel, with careful sorting and gentle extraction to highlight aromatic lift rather than power. The use of whole bunches is adapted to each parcel and vintage, adding nuance and lift when appropriate. Ageing occurs in French oak barrels, with a conservative proportion of new wood selected to support the fruit without overwhelming it. Elevage is monitored through regular tastings to determine the ideal timing for blending and bottling.

In the glass, Domaine Fourrier wines typically exhibit floral perfume, red cherry and raspberry fruit, fine silk-like tannins, and a long saline finish. Even village-level bottlings often display an elevated sense of finesse, while top expressions reward patient cellaring with layered tertiary complexity. Overall, Domaine Fourrier exemplifies a classical Burgundian approach, where precise vineyard work and subtle cellar craft produce Pinot Noirs of elegance, purity, and longevity.