Domaine Pierre Gelin Gevrey Chambertin 1er Cru Clos Prieur 2017

Domaine Pierre Gelin Gevrey Chambertin 1er Cru Clos Prieur 2017 is a 750ml Premier Cru Burgundy Pinot Noir from vines up to a century old, bottled at approximately 13% ABV. Rated 91–93 points by critic William Kelley, this wine is routinely cited as one of the finest bottlings in the Gelin cellar, distinguished by its extraordinary old-vine intensity and layered structure.

Quick Facts: ABV: ~13%  |  Origin: Gevrey-Chambertin, Côte de Nuits, Burgundy, France  |  Premier Cru  |  Domaine: Pierre Gelin

Production & Heritage

Domaine Pierre Gelin is a respected family estate in the commune of Fixin, with holdings across some of the Côte de Nuits' most prized sites. The Clos Prieur Premier Cru comes from two parcels totaling just 0.65 hectares — one planted roughly 40 years ago, and the other containing vines approximately 100 years old, which consistently produce small berries and naturally low yields. Grapes are fully de-stemmed and undergo a long cuvaison of 8 to 10 days, fermented with indigenous yeasts in stainless-steel and oak tanks. Malolactic fermentation takes place in barrel, followed by 20 to 24 months of aging in 25% new oak. The wine is bottled unfined and unfiltered, preserving the full expression of its terroir.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Dark cassis and ripe blackberry lead, giving way to savory grilled meat, sweet earthy soil tones, and a deep espresso-roast undertone. There is genuine complexity here, with each pass of the glass revealing another layer.

Taste: The entry is medium to full-bodied, with concentrated black cherry and blackberry fruit supported by an assertive mineral spine. At mid-palate, the wine is layered and generous, with herbal and floral inflections adding dimension. The tannic structure is satiny but sturdy — classic Gevrey in its combination of power and refinement.

Finish: Long and pure, with dark fruit echoing alongside subtle oak spice and a lingering mineral grip. The reserved core suggests further evolution in bottle over the coming years.

How to Drink Clos Prieur 2017

This is a wine built for the table and rewards patience. Serve slightly below room temperature, around 16–17°C, in a large-bowled Burgundy glass with at least 30 minutes of decanting to open its reserved core. It pairs exceptionally with classic French preparations: roasted duck breast, where its dark fruit and tannic structure mirror the richness of the meat; braised lamb shank with herbs, which complements its savory, earthy character; and aged Époisses or Comté cheese, whose umami and salinity amplify the wine's mineral finish.

Best For

• Gifting a serious Burgundy collector or enthusiast
• A cellar addition with medium- to long-term aging potential
• An anniversary or milestone dinner with red meat courses
• Exploring the terroir diversity of Gevrey-Chambertin Premier Cru vineyards

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Clos Prieur 2017 taste like? It is a medium- to full-bodied Pinot Noir dominated by dark cassis, blackberry, and grilled meat notes, underscored by espresso-roast oak and sweet soil tones. Satiny tannins provide structure without roughness, and the finish is long and mineral-driven.

How does Clos Prieur compare to Gevrey-Chambertin Clos Saint-Jacques? Clos Saint-Jacques is widely regarded as Gevrey-Chambertin's most prestigious Premier Cru vineyard and commands significantly higher prices from top producers like Domaine Fourrier. Clos Prieur offers a more accessible entry into serious Gevrey Premier Cru territory, with comparable old-vine depth and classic dark-fruit structure at a lower price tier.

Is Clos Prieur 2017 good for cellaring? Yes — the combination of century-old vine concentration, sturdy tannins, and the quality of the 2017 Burgundy vintage suggests the wine will develop well over the next 8 to 15 years with proper storage.

Where is Clos Prieur 2017 made? It is produced by Domaine Pierre Gelin, based in Fixin in the Côte de Nuits, Burgundy, France. The Clos Prieur vineyard is a classified Premier Cru site within the commune of Gevrey-Chambertin.

What foods pair well with Clos Prieur 2017? Roasted duck breast highlights its dark fruit intensity. Braised beef or lamb complements its earthy, savory depth. Mushroom risotto mirrors its soil-driven aromatics. Aged hard cheeses like Comté draw out its mineral finish. Charcuterie boards with cured meats and pâté echo its grilled-meat character.

What sizes does Clos Prieur 2017 come in? The standard bottling is 750ml, which is the most widely available format for this Premier Cru.

Is Clos Prieur 2017 worth the price? It positions as a serious but not stratospheric Premier Cru Burgundy, offering genuine old-vine depth and critic recognition (91–93 pts, William Kelley) at a price point well below the commune's most celebrated sites like Clos Saint-Jacques. For collectors seeking authentic Gevrey-Chambertin character, it represents strong value within its tier.

Why Clos Prieur 2017?

What sets this wine apart is its source material: vines reaching roughly a century in age, producing the kind of small berries and naturally concentrated juice that cannot be replicated with younger plantings. The 2017 vintage in Burgundy delivered ripe, generous fruit without sacrificing structure, and this bottling captures that balance precisely. William Kelley's 91–93 point rating confirms its standing as one of Domaine Pierre Gelin's flagship expressions. Bottled unfined and unfiltered after nearly two years in barrel, this is a transparent, terroir-driven Gevrey-Chambertin Premier Cru that earns its place among the commune's most compelling values.