Michel Martin

Monsieur Martin is the third generation of vignerons but has only taken over the running of this particular domaine since the 2002 vintage. Although not originally from a wine background, like Madame Chicotot, Madame Martin was eager to be fully involved and en-rolled herself at viticultural college. Whilst not completely organic at present, they are working towards this and currently practice the lutte raisonee method of viticulture. The soils are ploughed to avoid the use of herbicides and treatments against pest and disease are kept to a minimum. They place great importance on controlling the vegetal growth and yields. Vinification is traditional although they practice a 4-5 day cold maceration before fermentation. This they tell me is to extract more glycerol form the grapes and to improve the wine's texture and richness. They aim to produce fruit-driven wines with good balance of ripe tannin and acidity. A maximum of 20% new oak is used to retain the purity of the fruit. This Chorey Les Beaune is quite exceptional. Aged in one, two and three year old barriques - no new oak - this offers layers of intense, rich, sweet, harmonious and elegant fruit flavours.