Domaine Ghislaine Barthod

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Country of Origin: France
Location: Chambolle-Musigny, Côte de Nuits
People: Ghislaine Barthod, Owner | Clément Boillot, Winemaker
Viticulture: Practicing Organic

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The Domaine Barthod-Noellat was founded in the late 1920s and is a fusion of the work of two families: Noellat & Barthod. Gaston Barthod, whose family originated in the Jura, married into the Noellat family and took over the direction of the domaine after his military service concluded in the 1950s.

The joys of "terroir" are no more evident than when tasting in the cellars of this small, but important, estate. Ghislaine, Gaston's daughter, began an intense apprenticeship with her father in the 1980s. She has brought new vigor and a distinct touch to every area of concern from vineyard management to vinification but always with the profound regard for the purity of Pinot Noir and the character of the wines of Chambolle. Under her leadership, the reputation of this estate has deservedly grown internationally. The Domaine Ghislaine Barthod is now a standard bearer for the great wines of Chambolle Musigny.

Ghislaine Barthod's holdings cover 5.86 hectares in the commune of Chambolle and in neighboring Gilly-les-Citeaux. The soil of Chambolle is more spare than that of neighboring Morey and Gevrey. Limestone gravel covers the surface and the layer of topsoil is very thin. As a result, the wines of Chambolle are noted for their finesse and delicacy. The average age of the vines on the Barthod estate is over 30 years old. Yields are always modest; a vigorous pruning and occasional green harvest are practiced. The domaine has been practicing organic viticulture since 2002.

The vineyard holdings encompass the very top sites in this esteemed village. Fuées, Cras, Baudes, and Veroilles virtually surround the great Bonnes Mares, each giving a partial taste of that Grand Cru; the centrally-located Charmes seems to fuse all the elements of Chambolle; and, the friendly Beaux Bruns and rigorous Châtelots serve as counterpoints one to the other. Ghislaine has recently added a small parcel in "Aux Combottes" to round out the holdings of the estate.

Ghislaine follows traditional methods of vinification and carefully ages her wines. The grapes are partially destemmed before going into the fermentation vats. Only natural yeasts are used. The more sluggish start encountered when working with wild yeast gives the must a natural period of maceration before fermentation begins. The length varies from 2 to 5 days and is dependent upon temperatures. After fermentation, the wines are racked into small barrels (about 20% to 25% of which are new) and aged for about 20 months. These wines are particularly ageworthy and offer the rare privilege of deeply exploring the terroir of this singular village.

Reviews

  • Barthod 2022 Bourgogne Blanc, Les Graviers, AOC
    Vinous
    Rating: 90 (1/11/2024)

    Bottled in August, the 2022 Bourgogne Blanc Les Graviers comes from vines planted in 2018 and aged in amphora, stainless steel and barrels with one weekly bâtonnage until Christmas. It as a resinous bouquet with hints of dried honey and linseed emerging with time. The palate is medium-bodied with tropical notes of apricot and pineapple. There's good weight, yet the stainless steel aging hems it all in nicely. Quite delicious.

  • Barthod 2021 Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru, Aux Beaux Bruns, AOC
    Vinous
    Rating: (91-93) (1/5/2023)

    The 2021 Chambolle-Musigny Aux Beaux Bruns 1er Cru has an attractive nose, a mélange of red and black fruit, sous-bois, crushed stone and rose petals. It displays more vigor than the Chambolle-Charmes. The palate is medium bodied with crunchy red cherry and strawberry fruit, desiccated orange peel and white pepper. Not complex yet it demonstrates more length than some of the other cuvées.

  • Barthod 2021 Chambolle-Musigny AOC
    Vinous
    Rating: (87-89) (1/5/2023)

    The 2021 Chambolle-Musigny Village has a well-defined, quite pure bouquet with wild strawberry and cranberry fruit. The palate is medium bodied with fine-boned tannins, tart red fruit with a pretty, orange pith tinged finish. Delicious, but short term compared to other vintages.

  • Barthod 2020 Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru, Les Noirots AOC
    Vinous
    Rating: (93-95) (12/17/2021)

    The 2020 Chambolle-Musigny Les Noirots 1er Cru, raised in two-year old oak barrels, has a generous, almost effervescent bouquet with lively red cherries, crushed strawberry and subtle sous-bois scents. Wonderful delineation here. The palate is medium-bodied with finely-chiselled tannins, superb acidity and outstanding cohesion on the finish.