Chanson Père & Fils - Beaune 1er Cru Clos des Marconnets 2017

Bettane & Desseauve

About the wine:

A standout success for the estate in this vintage, this Beaune is well-rounded, subtly spicy, full-bodied, and rich, yet never heavy; its terroir is perhaps a bit more earthy but more energetic in its expression than that of Grèves and even Clos des Mouches.

About the estate:

Founded in 1750 by Simon Verry and acquired by the Bollinger Group in the late 1990s, the oldest of Beaune’s houses owns 45 hectares of vineyards located in the premier cru vineyards of both slopes. The house’s red wines are primarily made from purchased grapes, vinified by the house to maintain stylistic consistency with the estate. Brilliantly managed from a technical standpoint by Jean-Pierre Confuron (since 2001), this estate has become a model of viticulture, with the introduction of plowing, the elimination of soil amendments, and the adoption of organic viticulture. Chanson’s wines retain a very high proportion of stems during both white and red vinification. The guiding principle is balance within tension. The whites are transferred to barrels with as much lees as possible to ensure a reductive character throughout a 14- to 20-month aging period in barrels (20% new oak). The reds, whose Pinot ripeness is pushed to the optimum, retain a vibrant tannic and acidic structure and are adorned with fleshy fruit and underlying notes of sweet spices and licorice. These wines deserve a few years of patience in both styles.

Decanter

About the wine:

A high-quality Premier Cru, with notes of autumn leaves and a captivating aroma. Brilliant acidity, precise tannins, and finesse, with flavors of blackberry and blueberry followed by enticing spices on the finish. Classy and long-lasting. Le Marconnets is located at the northern edge of the Beaune appellation, on limestone and marl soils. Chanson owns 4 hectares (40% of the vineyard).

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About the estate:

Founded in 1750 and owned by Bollinger since 1999, this classic Beaune-based house has now fully established its identity and style. It rivals the best in the industry with its precise and pure wines, both white and red. Vincent Avenel has taken the reins of the house, succeeding Gilles de Courcel, to whom we owe its revitalization. A state-of-the-art winery and the expert guidance provided through June 2020 by Jean-Pierre Confuron—both in the vineyard and in winemaking—explain the clarity of expression across the estate’s broad range up to the 2019 vintage, a vintage in which we detect subtle aging notes in certain cuvées, though slightly less pronounced than in previous vintages. We will wait to taste the 2020s in bottle to judge whether this great estate is moving in the right direction with its new team.

Wine Spectator

Burghound

Jancis Robinson

James Suckling

About the wine:

A full-bodied, robust Beaune with dark plum aromas, followed by a generous palate featuring rich, supple tannins that build toward a bold finish with notes of licorice and earth. Best enjoyed starting in 2020.