Domaine Chofflet is located in the Côte Chalonnaise region. The 14-hectare estate has been managed by Denis Valdenaire since 1986. Among Denis notable accomplishments was the replanting of the Clos Jus vineyard 30 years ago. In 2017, his son in law, Jonathan Brunot, 32 years old, joined Denis for the harvest to learn the ropes. Jonathan took over the reins fully in 2018, following Denis's retirement. Jonathan chose to rename the estate "Domaine Chofflet" as a tribute to both Jean Chofflet and Denis Valdenaire. The estate uses sustainable viticulture practices. The vines are pruned severely in the Spring to eliminate excess growth and to force the roots to go deeper. The soils are plowed to encourage deeper root growth and to train the vines, thereby keeping treatments to the absolute minimum. 

The Givry Heritage Rouge AOC comes from several sloping amphitheater vineyards in Russilly on limestone-clay soils with southeast exposures. Chofflet's Givry AOC vineyards are on the protected middle and upper slopes where the temperatures are highest throughout the day, giving the fruit extended opportunity to ripen. At harvest, the grapes are meticulously sorted using a new optical sorting machine and then moved by gravity feed to the cuverie. The fruit is (100%) de-stemmed and given 5 days of cold maceration, after which fermentation begins at controlled temperatures not exceeding 28C. Jonathan, like Denis before him, prefers periodic light foot-treading to crush the grapes. He then circulates the juice over the cap of skins once per day (remontage). One-half of the cuvee is aged in 228 litre oak barrels (15% are new and the oldest are 3 years of age) and the balance is matured in concrete tanks. The parts are assembled in July and bottled before the next harvest. The Givry Rouge Heritage is packed with bright, succulent cherry and plum fruit and is ready to enjoy upon release. 

WINE ENTHUSIAST DEC 2020 BUYING GUIDE, 90PT SCORE. "...juicy and vivid...full of raspberry and red-cherry charm. The wine is rounded but fresh in its vivacity." 

Vineyard data:
Many parcels in 4 main areas in Russilly, at between 250 and 350 meters of altitude
Varietal: 100% Pinot Noir
Age of vines: 35 years average
Soil Type: Red limestone-clay
Production: 1750 cases
Viticulture: Sustainable
Harvest: Last week September
Vinification And Aging: (50%) in casks (15% new, balance 1-3 years)
(50%) in concrete tank
Bottling Date: In September, before the new harvest Center, the domaine's Givry Rouge AOC vineyards are all on heat-retaining, amphitheater slopes, exposed to the southeast. The soils are reddish limestone-clay which drain well. Right, the plain of Chalon sur Saone is visible in the background, with the mountains of Jura beyond.