Albert Grivault

An Atherton Wine Imports Direct Domaine

The French wine magazine Bourgogne Aujord’hui recently conducted a survey of several top French wine reviewers in order to determine the very best of the white Premier Crus. Grivault’s Meursault "Clos des Perrieres" monopole emerged on top – over the Meursaults of Lafon and Coche-Dury, the Puligny-Montrachets of Sauzet and Leflaive, the Chassagne-Montrachets of Neillon and Bernard Morey, and many more.

The history and terroir of the "Clos des Perrieres" sets it apart from all the other Premier Crus. The owners (Michel Bardet and the other grandchildren of Albert Grivault) still drink great bottles that date back to the 1800s. Bardet is also trying to elevate the "Clos des Perrieres" to Grand Cru status. Perhaps the whole Perrieres vineyard should be upgraded, but the Clos has the same South-Southwest orientation as Montrachet and tests have proven that the soil in the Clos has higher proportions of minerals and rocks than the rest of the vineyard.

Robert Parker on Domaine Grivault:

“the estate is capable of crafting harmonious, silky-textured wines with considerable again potential, even in some ‘difficult’ vintages.” (Parker’s Wine Buyer’s Guide, 6th Ed)

Allen Meadows on the Clos des Perrieres:

“The Domaine Albert Grivault Clos des Perrières is one of the more storied wines of Burgundy. Long renowned for its longevity, vintages from the 19th century are still alive and well…. Parallels with young Chevalier or Corton-Charlemagne are apt because they too are often austere when young and display bright, powerful acidity, intense minerality and are perhaps the longest lived white wines in Burgundy (along with Montrachet). For the Clos des Perrières, as with Chevalier and Corton-Charlemagne, it is usually only the gift of time that brings the wondrous complexity that makes these wines so legendary.” (Burghound, April 2002)

Highlights from Burghound’s 1959-2000 Vertical Tasting of the Clos des Perrieres:

• 1996: 92 points
• 1995: 90 points
• 1992: 90 points
• 1990: 91 points
• 1986: 94 points
• 1985: 92 points
• 1983: 93 points
• 1962: 90 points
• 1959: 88 points

Featured Wines

• Meursault "Clos des Perrieres"
• Meursault "Perrieres"
• Meursault
• Pommard "Clos Blanc" – next to Epenots