Fixin Crais de Chene 2022 Domaine Bouvier

The Crais de Chêne Fixin is a wine with a generally sunny nature, structured by assertive tannins, with frank minerality and a saline finish. Time allows the wine to mellow in texture, and the wild aromas of youth give way to a more complex fruity and floral expression. It is a balanced wine with lots of energy and good ageing potential of up to 15 years.

2022 - 13% abv

'Crais de Chêne' is a climat on the alluvial cone between the villages of Couchey and Fixin. The 1.7 hectare plot is composed of limestone rockfall soils mixed with clay. The perfectly ripened grapes of these 55-year-old vines produce rounded tannins. 50% whole-bunch fermentation, with 12 months ageing in barrels (20% new barrels) and 6 months in stainless steel tanks.

The Estate
The family-run Domaine René Bouvier owns 30 hectares of vines, all in the Côte de Nuits. The estate, located in Gevrey-Chambertin, has been managed by Bernard Bouvier since 1992.The winery produces a range of 26 different wines, ranging from the Bourgogne appellation to the most famous Grand Cru wines: Charmes-Chambertin and Echezeaux. The grapes are entirely harvested by hand, with 23 hectares producing red wines and 7 hectares producing white wines, including Marsannay Le Clos, a monopole (a vineyard owned by only one winegrower). The estate vineyards extend from the ancient terroirs of the Dukes of Burgundy, near Dijon, to the well-known wine-producing village of Vosne-Romanée.  Most of the climats are located in the appellations Marsannay, Fixin, and Gevrey-Chambertin.

2022 - A Great Vintage
Nearly ideal weather: The winter was neither cold nor wet. From the beginning of April, heat and drought set in, resulting in an early start to the growing cycle. Flowering began around May 20th. All the berries were pollinated with very little “coulure”, which immediately heralded a good harvest. Thanks to these favorable weather conditions, all diseases were avoided. June was hot, then the heat increased again in July. The  rains of mid-August arrived at the right time to prevent ripening from stalling. The skins and seeds easily reached maturity, producing grapes with generous juice and high quality.