Domaine Génot-Boulanger - Aloxe-Corton 1er Cru Clos du Chapitre 2018
Located in Meursault, Domaine Génot-Boulanger was founded in 1974 by Charles-Henri Génot and Marie Boulanger, before being taken over in 2008 by their daughter Aude and her husband Guillaume Lavollée. The estate now owns a remarkable heritage of vineyards spread across the Côte de Nuits, Côte de Beaune, and Côte Chalonnaise, with a philosophy based on respect for the soils and the expression of the terroirs. The Clos du Chapitre occupies a privileged position in the heart of the village of Aloxe-Corton, in a former enclosed vineyard linked to the canons of the cathedral chapter of Autun. The estate owns a 0.97-hectare plot here, located in the lower part of the slope and benefiting from a full south exposure. The vines, averaging about fifty years old, root in reddish-brown soils rich in clay, siliceous pebbles, and fragments of limestone with flint. This combination of sun exposure and geological complexity favors a Pinot Noir that is both fleshy, structured, and elegant. Clos du Chapitre thus constitutes one of the emblematic Premier Crus of the estate, capable of expressing all the depth of Aloxe-Corton without sacrificing Burgundian finesse.
The Clos du Chapitre 2018 is made exclusively from Pinot Noir, hand-harvested from this historic plot. The 2018 vintage, marked by a particularly hot and sunny summer, allowed the grapes to reach maturity and concentration, with a beautiful natural richness. For this year, the grapes were destemmed before fermentation to favor the purity of the fruit and the finesse of the tannic structure. The vinification seeks a progressive extraction, respectful of the naturally generous material of the vintage. Fermentations are conducted with indigenous yeasts, in an approach aimed at preserving the identity of the terroir and the characteristics specific to each harvest. Aging continues for twelve months in oak barrels, with about 20% new wood, then an additional six months in tank before bottling. The 2018 vintage also marks an important milestone in the history of Génot-Boulanger, as it corresponds to the first harvest certified organic for the entire estate.
The Clos du Chapitre 2018 presents a generous and refined expression of Pinot Noir, with a bouquet of ripe cherry, black plum, and strawberry, accompanied by delicate floral and spicy nuances. Upon aeration, touches of menthol, rose, and undergrowth gradually enrich the whole, reflecting the complexity of the terroir and the evolution of the vintage. On the palate, the wine has a broad and silky texture, with a beautiful concentration of red and black fruits supported by a firm tannic structure. The maturity of 2018 brings flesh and depth, while the natural freshness of Pinot Noir maintains a pleasant precision. The tannins, still present, begin to soften and contribute to a persistent finish, slightly spicy and mineral. After several years in bottle, this Premier Cru enters a particularly interesting phase of its evolution, while retaining additional aging potential. It will ideally accompany roasted pigeon, veal chop with morels, beef fillet, duck with cherries, or porcini risotto.
Grape variety: 100% Pinot Noir
