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07 May 2014

Investing in Burgundy – Spotlight on Domaine Fourrier

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Posted in: Wine Investment

Tagged: Burgundy

“The Fourrier estate is one of the very best in Burgundy.” – Clive Coates MW.

Acker Merrall NYC, April 2014

‘’What followed throughout the day were world records falling for the greatest wines of Burgundy.… with 84 of the 111 New World Records set by the belle of the ball (Burgundy)…Of the new World Records, Fourrier led the way with eleven’’

The property of Domaine Fourrier

 

Area under vine: 10ha (25 acres)

 

Average production: 45,000 bottles

About 

In the past few years Burgundy has been dominated with success stories, but little of these have been as distinct and important as the renaissance of Domaine Fourrier under the guidance of Jean-Marie Fourrier.

The property lays ownership to 60 to 100 year old vines in some of the best terroir of Gevrey-Chambertin, however it wasn’t until Jean-Marie took the reins in 1994 that the domaine re-established itself and fulfilled its overwhelming potential once again. 

This is in no small part down to the non-interventionist approach from the protégé of the great Henri Jayer. Fourrier describes this approach as ‘’the philosophy of doing nothing’’, simply relying on the phenomenal quality of the fruit produced by the domaine’s ancient vines. Within Gevrey-Chambertin, a famed area bursting with the finest wines, it is arguable that Fourrier’s are the best of them all.

 

Keys to Quality

What makes the wines of Jean-Marie Fourrier so unique in Burgundy is their astounding expressiveness. Typically the wines offer great balance, whilst elegant and aromatic with an astonishing level of complexity and structure.  It is these qualities and characteristics that have made the domaine’s wines so iconic and desirable since Jean-Marie took over.

There is no doubt that this wine-maker is following in the footsteps of his great tutor, the late Henri Jayer, and for those able to acquire Fourrier’s wines will be laying hands on the emerging legacy of one of the most exciting and important of the top Burgundy producers.

 

Griotte-Chambertin, Gevrey Chambertin (Grand Cru)

Recent Market Performance over past 5 years (2002 vintage 91-94 pts AM) 1,520% in 5 years

 

Clos St Jacques, Gevrey Chambertin (1er Cru)

Recent Market Performance over past 5 years (2002 vintage 90 pts AM) 309.4% in 5 years

 


The most recent vintages of 2006, 07, 08 and 11 seem to offer the best value and growth potential for Domaine Fourrier’s Gevrey-Chambertin "Clos St Jacques". In comparison to older, similarly scored vintages they are available at over a 50% discount.

It is also testament to the work of Jean-Marie that even in the more challenging, lesser vintages such as 2007 he is producing extremely high quality wines perhaps even better quality than what was achieved in better vintages 10 years ago. This suggests that the estate is firmly on an upward curve and that knowledgeable collectors will perhaps favour more recent years to enjoy the finest quality this producer has to offer.

With all remaining equal we would suggest that the growth potential over the next 3-5 years is conservatively 50%. However, given the rising status of Domaine Fourrier, increasing auction activity and a developing market in the Far East – they have the potential to double in value over a medium term hold.

 

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