Maison Ilan's Blog

Maison Ilan is focused on producing Red Burgundy from some of the most interesting vineyards of the Côte de Nuits region of Burgundy.

2009 was Maison Ilan’s Inaugural vintage, with fruit being purchased from the following appellations :

Morey Saint Denis ‘Les Chaffots’ 1er Cru 13.29% alc.
Charmes-Chambertin ‘Aux Charmes’ Grand Cru VV 13.59% alc.
Le Chambertin Grand Cru VV 12.9% alc.

2009 as a vintage produced fruit with an abundance of potential. The wines of Maison Ilan are produced with the focus on encouraging maturation along with improvement over many years in bottle. The wines will be released in 2011.

2009 Morey Saint Denis 1er Cru – ‘Les Chaffots’

Estimated production: 3.25 barrels / Surface Area:  2.62 hectares (6.4 acres)

Situated right above Clos Saint Denis Grand Cru and adjacent to Clos de la Roche Grand Cru on a roughly 30-degree slope. This vineyard has a very rocky terrain littered with limestone throughout. The average age of the vines is 25 years. During the 2009 growing season, the vineyard was hit with hail. Nearly 30% was affected. The owner of the vineyard stepped up and dropped more fruit to ensure a high level of quality was met. The grapes were harvested on Monday, September 14^th. Using roughly 25% whole cluster (a large portion done by hand), this is the sole cuvée to use grape entire (whole cluster).  Punch downs (pigeages) were started just before primary fermentation was completed to ensure a long primary fermentation (native) in an adjustable top stainless steel tank. A mix of Rousseau and Chassin barrels were used during élevage.  The wine rested in tank for 10 days after fermentations stopped

2009 Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru  – ‘Aux Charmes’ v.v.

Estimated production: 6 barrels / Surface Area: 12.5 hectares (30.8 acres)

Situated entirely in the Aux Charmes climat adjacent to the road separating Charmes-Chambertin from Le Chambertin. The average vine age here is over 50 years.  The soil here is quite fine, with a large amount of exposed limestone. In 2009, this vineyard was harvested on September 16^th and produced a startling amount of millerandage, with nearly every cluster displaying a range of tiny, small and medium sized berries. The grapes were 100% destemmed. This entire cuvée was fermented (native) in an open top wooden fermentation tank. Punch downs were started just one day before primary fermentations were finished. Chassin is the only cooper used during élevage. The wine rested 8 days in tank after the fermentation stopped.

2009 Le Chambertin Grand Cru v.v.

Estimated production: 2.5 barrels / Surface Area: 12.28 hectares (30.3 acres)

Our source vines of Le Chambertin are located on the North side of the appellation, toward Clos de Beze.  The vine age here is just over 50 years. Due to the chilling winds that race down the hill, Le Chambertin is often a late ripening vineyard. 2009 was no exception, being the last vineyard we harvested on September 19^th, producing a selection of tiny to small sized berries.  The grapes were 100% destemmed. Le Chambertin fermented (native) in a small adjustable top stainless steel tank. Chassin is the only cooper used in the élevage. The wine rested for 4 days after the fermentation stopped.