Domaine Pierre Gelin Gevrey Chambertin 1er Cru Clos Prieur 2022

Domaine Pierre Gelin Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Clos Prieur 2022 is a 750ml bottle of 100% Pinot Noir from one of Burgundy's most esteemed premier cru vineyards in the Côte de Nuits. Carrying an aggregated critic score of 94/100 on Wine-Searcher, it ranks among the top ten most highly rated Gevrey-Chambertin Premier Cru wines — a remarkable achievement for a family domaine rooted in the neighboring village of Fixin.

Quick Facts: ABV: ~13–14% (typical for the appellation; exact figure not published for the 2022 vintage)  |  Origin: Gevrey-Chambertin, Côte de Nuits, Burgundy, France  |  Premier Cru  |  Domaine: Pierre Gelin (est. 1925)

Production & Heritage

Pierre Gelin founded the domaine in 1925 in Fixin, and it is now led by his grandson Pierre-Emmanuel, who has steered the estate toward organic farming with minimal intervention in both vineyard and cellar. The Clos Prieur vines were planted in 1964, making them over 60 years old — consistently producing small berries and low yields that concentrate flavor. The wine is aged in 25% new oak barrels for 20 to 24 months and bottled unfined and unfiltered, preserving the raw character of this exceptional terroir. Clos Prieur-Haut, the premier cru portion of the vineyard, sits directly below the Grand Cru Mazis-Chambertin, a position that lends both prestige and geological advantage — the climat was historically named for the monks of Cluny Abbey (Prieuré de Cluny).

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The wine unfurls gradually with aromas of cassis, blackberry, and grilled meat, followed by deeper notes of sweet soil tones and espresso roast. A thread of oak spice runs beneath without dominating.

Taste: On the palate, entry is marked by dark fruit — blackberry and black cherry — before expanding into a medium-to-full-bodied mid-palate with layered concentration. The tannins are satiny yet sturdy, offering a velour-like texture without grain. A pronounced mineral backbone runs through, lending breadth and seriousness to the structure.

Finish: Impressively wide and pure, the finish carries lingering dark fruit alongside a lasting impression of sweetness. It is long and reserved, suggesting considerable cellaring potential.

How to Drink Clos Prieur

This is a wine built for contemplation. Serve at 60–64°F in a large-bowled Burgundy glass, ideally decanted for 30–45 minutes if drinking young. Neat appreciation — without ice — allows its mineral complexity and old-vine concentration to reveal themselves fully. While premier cru red Burgundy is rarely mixed into cocktails, it pairs brilliantly with food: consider it alongside roasted duck breast, where the wine's tannin structure meets rich fat; braised short ribs, where its dark fruit mirrors the slow-cooked depth; or aged Comté cheese, whose nuttiness draws out the wine's espresso and mineral undertones.

Best For

• Cellaring for 8–15 years to unlock its full depth and tertiary complexity
• Gifting a serious Burgundy collector or Pinot Noir devotee
• Anchoring a formal dinner featuring roasted red meats or game
• Side-by-side tastings comparing terroir expression across Gevrey-Chambertin premier crus

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Clos Prieur taste like? Domaine Pierre Gelin's Clos Prieur 2022 delivers concentrated blackberry and cassis fruit layered with espresso roast, grilled meat, and a broad mineral backbone. Satiny tannins and a wide, pure finish round out a wine of real structure and depth.

How does Clos Prieur compare to Harmand-Geoffroy Clos Prieur? Domaine Harmand-Geoffroy also produces a premier cru from the same Clos Prieur-Haut climat in Gevrey-Chambertin, making the two a natural comparison of house style versus shared terroir. Gelin's version, from organically farmed 60-year-old vines and bottled unfined and unfiltered, tends to emphasize old-vine concentration and mineral breadth, while Harmand-Geoffroy's expression is widely regarded for its own precision and depth.

Is Clos Prieur good for cellaring? Yes — the wine's sturdy tannin structure, mineral core, and concentrated dark fruit from old vines all point toward rewarding development over 8 to 15 years in a proper cellar. Drinking it young with extended decanting will also showcase its layered fruit.

Where is Clos Prieur made? Domaine Pierre Gelin is based in Fixin, a small village in the Côte de Nuits, Burgundy, France. The Clos Prieur-Haut vineyard itself sits in the commune of Gevrey-Chambertin, directly below the Grand Cru Mazis-Chambertin.

What foods pair well with Clos Prieur? Roasted duck breast works beautifully, as the wine's tannins cut through rich fat. Braised lamb shoulder complements its dark fruit and herbal undertones. Aged Comté or Époisses cheese draws out the espresso and mineral notes. Wild mushroom risotto mirrors the earthy, soil-driven character. Grilled quail or squab matches the wine's medium-to-full body without overwhelming it.

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

Is Clos Prieur worth the price? Positioned as a premium premier cru Burgundy from a respected family domaine, this wine sits comfortably in the upper tier of Gevrey-Chambertin offerings but below Grand Cru pricing. Its 94-point aggregated critic score, old-vine sourcing, and organic farming practices offer tangible value relative to neighboring climats at higher price points.

Why Clos Prieur?

What separates this wine from the broader field of Gevrey-Chambertin premier crus is the convergence of several uncommon factors. The vines — planted in 1964 and now over 60 years old — are farmed organically, producing the small berries and low yields that give the wine its remarkable concentration. The minimal-intervention winemaking, with just 25% new oak and no fining or filtration, lets the terroir of Clos Prieur-Haut speak clearly: mineral, structured, and deeply rooted in its proximity to the Grand Cru Mazis-Chambertin. With an aggregated critic score placing it among the top-rated wines in the appellation, Domaine Pierre Gelin's Clos Prieur 2022 delivers a level of seriousness and authenticity that few premier crus in the village can match at this level.