About
Domaine Jean Fournier
Domaine Jean Fournier is one of the oldest properties in Marsannay, Burgundy. Laurant Fournier, the winemaker, farms 16 hectares of vineyards according to an organic approach. The domaine has been certified organic by Ecocert and AB since 2008.
Laurant Fournier's wines are characterized as well-made, lively and characterful. Precise wines of great ageability, weight, and texture. His Bourgogne Chapitre Vieilles Vignes is one of the best generic red Burgundy wines. A quality source of Marsannay.
The top wines of the domaine are: Marsannay Clos du Roy, Marsannay P'Tite Grumotte, and Marsannay Clos du Roi Cuvée Pur Pot.
The Marsannay Clos du Roy 2015 scored 91 - 93, the Marsannay P'Tite Grumotte 2015 scored 91 - 93, and the Marsannay Clos du Roi Cuvée Pur Pot 2014 scored 91 - 93 by the Wine Advocate.
Robert Parker's tasting notes on Marsannay Clos du Roy 2015 scored 91 - 93: "... contains around half whole bunch fruit, offers a soupçon of the sea here, a tang of saltiness that complements the dark cherry and blackcurrant aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with a strict and linear opening. There is a gentle grip in the mouth, and then eventually, it fans out with a dash of spice on the finish. This is one of Fournier's best offerings this vintage and comes highly recommended.
History
Laurant Fournier is the winemaker of Domaine Jean Fournier.
Domaine Jean Fournier dates back to the reign of Louis 13th in the early 17th century, making it one of the oldest properties in Marsannay. Jean Fournier, Laurant Fournier's father, was the previous winemaker of the domaine.
Approach
Certified organic by Ecocert and AB since 2008
Domaine Jean Fournier is farmed according to organic principles and certified by Ecocert and AB since 2008.
Marsannay is unique in Burgundy for having AOC status for both red, white, and rosé wines. Also, Domaine Jean Fournier owns a unique small plot of Aligoté vines over 80 years old.
Laurent uses less and less sulphur in vinification and frequently includes 50 percent whole bunches; rather more in his old-vine Côte de Nuits-Villages, La Croix Violette. This vineyard is now being ploughed by horse and hedged by hand.
Harvesting is done manually. Laurant Fournier does his best to make sure the wine is made from the highest quality fruit. Grapes are fermented in barrels for up to three weeks. The wine then spends its first year in a mix of 228- and 600-litre barrels before being racked into just the larger, 600-litre ones for the second winter.