Wine Domaine Robert Groffier Pere & Fils Gevrey-Chambertin Les Seuvrees, 2022

Domaine Robert Groffier Père & Fils, Gevrey-Chambertin "Les Seuvrées"

Domaine Robert Groffier Père & Fils’ Gevrey-Chambertin "Les Seuvrées" is a concentrated and rich red wine with an enchanting aroma and a long, persistent finish. The Pinot Noir grapes used for this wine come from the Les Seuvrées vineyard, located in the commune of Gevrey-Chambertin—the northernmost among the great villages of the Côte de Nuits. Gevrey-Chambertin is home to 26 Premier Cru vineyards and 8 Grand Cru sites. Interestingly, it was the first Burgundy village to have its name appear on a wine label alongside the prestigious regional designation.

The vineyards of Gevrey-Chambertin are the largest in the Côte de Nuits, producing wines known for their aromatic intensity, finesse, and ripe fruit flavors. These wines typically reach their peak between 15 and 20 years of aging. The Les Seuvrées vineyard features rocky soils with excellent drainage, composed of limestone and clay. Sustainable farming methods are practiced to maintain vineyard health and enhance the purity of the fruit.

The grapes are harvested by hand from 40-year-old vines at optimal ripeness. About 66% of the grapes undergo destemming before fermentation. The winemaking process begins with a seven-day cold maceration, followed by controlled-temperature fermentation with regular pump-overs to ensure full extraction of color and tannins. The wine is then aged in oak barrels for approximately one year. Regular tastings determine the precise moment for bottling, which is done without fining or filtration. The 2020 vintage is expected to reach its peak maturity between 2025 and 2028.

Renowned wine critic Robert Parker once praised the domaine:
"Every wine from Domaine Robert Groffier was the finest example of its terroir, from Bourgogne to Grand Cru. Serge Groffier’s meticulous vineyard work is evident in every glass of this highly regarded domaine, which is destined for even greater recognition."

The Legacy of Robert Groffier

Robert Groffier is recognized as one of the finest winemakers in the Côte d’Or. His domaine spans seven hectares of exceptional vineyards, including Chambolle-Musigny, Bonnes-Mares, and Chambertin Clos de Bèze. The dedication of his son, Serge Groffier, has further elevated the domaine’s reputation, producing wines that beautifully express the best qualities of Pinot Noir.

The domaine employs the Cordon de Royat pruning method, which results in highly concentrated berries. Unlike many producers, Robert and Serge allow their grapes a longer ripening period, enhancing the depth and complexity of their wines. Their winemaking approach is rooted in tradition—strict yield control, meticulous grape selection, and a flexible philosophy regarding oak aging. They do not adhere to a fixed formula for the proportion of new barrels or the duration of barrel aging, adjusting these factors based on each vintage’s unique characteristics.

Winemaking Philosophy and Signature Wines

Domaine Robert Groffier Père & Fils is often compared to Burgundy’s finest winemakers due to its adaptability and vintage-specific techniques. Some years, whole-cluster fermentation is used, while in others, the grapes are fully destemmed. However, every vintage undergoes a cold maceration lasting 5–6 days, followed by fermentation designed to extract maximum color and flavor. Robert and Serge Groffier closely monitor the wines throughout their development, relying on their refined palates to determine the ideal approach for each year.

Groffier wines are powerful, deeply colored, and well-structured, with firm yet polished tannins. Among them, Chambolle-Musigny "Les Amoureuses" is often the most expressive, revealing luscious ripe berry and fruit notes. Bonnes-Mares is more muscular and intense, while Chambertin Clos de Bèze stands out with its remarkable acidity and pronounced red berry character.

In the late 1990s, Groffier was recognized as one of the top four Burgundy producers in the 6th edition of Parker’s Wine Buyer’s Guide, solidifying the domaine’s status as a benchmark for excellence in Burgundy winemaking.