Clos de Vougeot
Grand Cru 2021
Clos de Vougeot is and will always be much more than just a wine. This appellation is a the standard bearer, the emblem of the whole Côte d’Or...
Origin
The Clos de Vougeot in the heart of the Côte de Nuits occupies most of the vineyard area belonging to the commune of Vougeot. Vougeot’s neighbours are Chambolle-Musigny, Flagey-Échezeaux and Vosne-Romanée. On the slopes at the upper end of the Clos, it abuts on the vineyards of Musigny and GrandsÉchezeaux. Founded around 1110 AD by the monks of nearby Cîteaux, who remained its owners until the French Revolution (1789), the Clos de Vougeot is a Burgundian icon. Its 50.59 ha. have never been broken up and it retains its identity intact within the walls which were built to enclose it 5 centuries ago. Its wines are among the finest of the Grands Crus reds.
The château, (which adjoins the cellars and the winery with its giant presses dating back to the 12th and 14th centuries), is built in the Burgundian Renaissance style and is open to visitors. The Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin holds its meetings or “chapters” here and therefore it is no surprise that the finest food and wine in France is found here.
Viticulture
Grape variety: pinot noir
Soils: mostly clay and very stony on the surface.
Orientation: East
Surface area under vine: 0,18 ha
Pruning: Guyot system
Yield: 36 hL/ha
Average age of the vines: 49 years old.
Vinification
Harvest date: 1 October 2021.
The grapes were handpicked. They were sorted a first time in the vineyard and again on the sorting table when they arrived at the winery.
At the winery: 80% of grapes were destemmed but not crushed (they were left whole) and were gravity-fed into tanks. Total maceration lasted a total of 21 days including 4 days of cold maceration (12°C). Fermentation used indigenous yeasts only (no additives such as enzymes or tannins were used). 5 punchings of the cap.
Ageing
Maturation: aged on the lees for 15 months with no racking using a proportion of 33% new French oak barrels.
Barrels: French oak barrels that had been toasted at low temperatures for a long time to impart a very delicate touch of oak to the wine.
Bottling
Bottling: by gravity in February 2023, after lenticular filtration.
Number of bottles: 892.
Vintage
A complex vintage!
It is both a winegrower and winemaker’s vintage ! 2021 will unfortunately be remembered quantity-wise for a long time by its disastrous frost early april. Direct consequence: this is probably one of the smallest vintages ever in Burgundy . It offers a very nice and subtle representation of each terroir and its expression, with fruity, freshness and great finesse wines.
Ageing potential: 10 years and more.
Awards
Jancis Robinson MW - 17++/20
Bourgogne Aujourd'hui Magazine - 15/20
Tim Atkin - 95/100
Tasting notes
A garnet-red colour with hints of violet, the first nose reveals aromas of blackcurrants and plums, combined with notes of undergrowth and caramel. On the palate, this wine is powerful on the attack, then full-bodied with fine tannins and great length.
