Most people began farming organically because they saw how destructive chemical farming was to their health, their crops, and the environment. Alain Burguet, on the other hand, has been doing what he always has...nothing! When everyone around was dumping tons of this and that between the rows, Alain never fell into the chemical trap his neighbors had during the intensive-spraying era of the 1970s' and 1980s'. He remembers being looked down upon for not embracing the chemical way in the vineyard. Says Alain, "I clearly recall an Agriculture-Council representative in Beaune saying flatly at that time that the weedkillers were not dangerous and were totally biodegradable in the soil. I would be very interested to know what the same person says today..."
Alain's two son, Jean-Luc and Eric, work with him with vineyard management and with vinification and the cellar side of the job. . The wines are vinified with the natural yeasts which are present on the skin, with no enzymes or any other additives added. No fining, no filtration. Very long elevage, 20 months in casks. Minimal SO2 (sulfur dioxide) dosage. They want the wine to express both the fruit as well as the millésime.
There are only 500 cases made from the 1 hectare Tradition Vineyard, planted in 1980. So determined in his pursuit of excellence, Alain never releases a wine he is not totally happy with. The 2005 Gevrey Chambertin Traditions is exceptionally pretty with elegant Pinot fruit, medium weight and earthy energy to go the distance in the cellar. Beautiful depth of flavor and purity of style.
