Domaine Thénard 1er Cru Clos Saint Pierre Givry

Clos Saint Pierre is a Premier Cru vineyard situated at the highest point on the hill etched with Thénard’s other holdings, all lying below. It is a monopole and thus, a point of pride. An east-facing aspect dominated by abundant clay, Clos Saint Pierre is a site that facilitates an attenuated ripening window, resulting in wines of complexity and a ferruginous carapace of tannins that demands time in the cellar to unravel. Youthful aromas encapsulate darker berry fruits, thyme and bergamot. With age, porcini, iodine and mulch come to the fore.

As with the other Premier Cru cuvées at this address, extraction is long and the cuvaison extended and traditional. Under the aegis of ambient yeasts, fermentation takes place in large, wooden open-top vessels, many over 100 years of age. Élévage is in a combination of used barrels and larger foudres, generally for 18-22 months. The aim is to polymerise the tannins over time, imparting grace and elegance, while retaining Givry’s signature structural mettle.