Domaine Fourrier

Under the tutelage of Burgundy winemaking legend Henri Jayer, Jean-Marie Fourrier gained incomparable experience and single-handedly dragged Domaine Fourrier to the top of the region's winemaking ranks. Since 1994, the winemaker has crafted beautiful pinot noir from top Premier Cru and Grand Cru vineyards like Clos St. Jacques and Griottes-Chambertin. Elegant, intense, and complex, Fourrier wines are premium bottles for collectors to keep in their cellars. 

Domaine Fourrier: A Burgundy Family Legacy

Fourrier was founded in the 1930s by Fernand Pernot, later becoming known as Domaine Pernot-Fourrier after his nephew, Jean-Claude Fourrier, took ownership three decades later. After Pernot's death in 1981, Domaine Fourrier struggled as Jean-Claude reluctantly managed the estate. However, in 1994, then-23-year-old Jean-Marie Fourrier returned to his family's estate after stints under Henri Jayer and at Domain Drouhin in Oregon, helping Domain Fourrier to return as a top Burgundy wine. Under his ownership, yields were reduced, new equipment was installed, and the cellar was renovated.

Fourrier Winemaking 

With headquarters set in the prestigious village, Gevrey-Chambertin, Fourrier holds just 9 hectares across Burgundy with plots in exceptional vineyards like Griottes-Chambertin, Clos St. Jacques, and Echezeaux. The average vine age throughout each plot is 50-70 years old, and Fourrier refuses to use fruit from vines under 30 years of age, instead opting to sell this fruit to other domaines. Furthermore, like many Burgundy winemakers, Fourrier believes in a minimal-intervention philosophy, opting to use only organic methods and manual labor for each harvest.

Once the fruit is ripe, the grapes are hand-picked and sorted, destemmed, and then fermented separately using native yeasts. Jean-Marie uses no crushing or maceration before fermentation, a stark contrast to his peers. Once the wines are fermented, they are aged in 20% new French oak barrels for 16-18 months, then finally bottled and released to the public. Only 3,500 cases are produced each vintage across labels, illustrating Jean-Marie's dedication to crafting the best wines possible, leaving out grapes that do not live up to his meticulous standards. 

Fourrier Gevrey Chambertin Wines

Arguably, Fourrier's most prestigious bottle is the Fourrier Clos St. Jacques, produced from Gevrey-Chambertin's greatest vineyard. The final blends are 100% pinot noir and described as balanced, elegant, and filled with finesse. Bright, vibrant fruit aromas can be experienced immediately, and a wonderful purity dominates the palate. Over the past two decades, Fourrier wines have exploded on the market, with vintages from the early 2000s increasing nearly 800% in price from their original release, displaying the exceptional aging ability of the bottles and the tremendous praise Jean-Marie Fourrier has garnered since his takeover.

Acquiring a bottle of one of Burgundy's greatest pinot noirs provides an excellent investment opportunity for collectors and an even greater drinking experience for enthusiasts. Grab your bottle today before it's too late.