2022 Gevrey-Chambertin Les Evocelles La Vougeraie

This lovely wine's bright, forward cherry fruit aromas are shaded with hints of peony and liquorice. The texture is ethereal and lively, retaining a fresh acidity that draws the finish out pleasantly. The grapes come from the domaine's first vineyard, acquired in 1966. It includes 1.24 hectares of young vines planted at high density and another 1.9 hectares of older vines, all on the border with Brochon. After a cold soak, the grapes are fermented on native yeasts with about 50% whole clusters and gentle extraction over a slow fermentation.

Racked this morning. Quite a dense purple. Definitely the darker side of raspberry on the nose. A concentrated dark raspberry fruit with plenty of pepper notes behind, adding counterpoint to the ripe fruit which surges back at the finish. This adds to the argument that Evocelles is at least half way to being a 1er Cru.

The 2022 Gevrey-Chambertin Les Evocelles, which has small berries due to millerandage, has a lilting bouquet of red and blue fruit, a touch of violet in the background, and more mineralité than the La Justice. The medium-bodied palate is cohesive and focused with fine tannins, well-judged acidity and a bright, sapid finish. This is a delightful Gevrey-Chambertin.