From: Gevrey Chambertin, Burgundy, France

Varietal: Pinot Noir

Notes: Though Bruno points out it wasn’t always the case, this is now a definite favorite of Bruno’s and Philippe’s, and we agree. The wine used to be a little austere, but like most people in Burgundy, Clair, of late, is extracting much less. Today, there is a delicacy of fruit, the result of shallow and non-iron-rich clays. It still has a mineral spine, but it is very much in balance. It is a very lifted expression of Pinot, especially in the context of Gevrey-Chambertin, which is generally known for power.

Fonteny is derived from the old French Fontenil or Fontenis which meant a small spring. The old French was itself derived from the Latin Fontanile. Jean Francois Bazin writes: “The Bèze and Fontenys springs (which no longer exist) caused serious flooding and damage at the middle of the [19th] century.”

40% whole cluster, indigenous yeast fermentation, minimal punch-downs and pump-overs (one each in general per day). Aged for 18 months in barrel (0-50% new oak). Racked once for short blending period in tank before bottling.