Armand Vincenot

History of Domaine Armand Vincenot

The history of Domaine Armand Vincenot is rooted in the great family winemaking tradition of Burgundy. A property passed down through several generations, the estate perpetuates the ancestral cultivation and winemaking methods that have built the reputation of the great wines of the Côte de Nuits. Like many small family Burgundian estates, Armand Vincenot long cultivated its vines in deliberate discretion, prioritizing quality and authenticity over the pursuit of fame. This humility, inherited from the great Burgundian viticultural traditions, is today a recognizable signature of the house.

Over the decades, the estate has preserved its intimate and family character, while building a precious viticultural heritage in some of the most prestigious climates of the Côte de Nuits. The crown jewel of the estate is undoubtedly its parcel in the mythical Clos de la Roche, one of the most celebrated Grand Crus of Morey-Saint-Denis, which places Armand Vincenot among the great Burgundian winemakers. Today, the estate continues to produce its cuvées in confidential quantities, in respect of the terroirs and the great winemaking tradition of the region, praised by knowledgeable enthusiasts and specialist guides (Robert Parker Wine Advocate, Burghound) for the finesse and precision of its wines.

Terroirs and Vines of Domaine Armand Vincenot

The vineyard of Domaine Armand Vincenot extends across carefully selected parcels at the heart of the Côte de Nuits, the northern part of the Côte d'Or, which produces some of the greatest red wines in the world. The terroirs are characteristic of great Burgundy: clay-limestone soils, marls, fissured Jurassic limestone, which lend the Pinot Noir its inimitable signature of finesse, complexity and depth. The estate's flagship parcel is located in the Clos de la Roche, a historic Grand Cru of Morey-Saint-Denis, on predominantly clay-limestone soils with rocky outcroppings that give their name to the climat.

At the heart of this patchwork of parcels, the estate also cultivates vines in several prestigious villages of the Côte de Nuits: Vosne-Romanée, the great Pinot Noir village alongside the most illustrious Burgundian signatures, Gevrey-Chambertin, another epicenter of the region's great reds, and Morey-Saint-Denis. The continental climate, marked by cold winters and warm summers, is particularly well suited to the cultivation of Pinot Noir, the king grape of Burgundy. The average age of the vines is high, a guarantee of depth and concentration. Work in the vineyard is rigorous, with controlled yields and precise monitoring of ripeness, in keeping with the demanding standards of the great Burgundian winemakers.

Winemaking at Domaine Armand Vincenot

In the cellar, Armand Vincenot perpetuates the great Burgundian tradition, in absolute respect of the terroir and the grape. Harvests are entirely manual, with rigorous sorting both in the vineyard and in the winery, an essential condition for producing wines of great aromatic purity. Fermentations are conducted using only the indigenous yeasts native to the grapes, in traditional vats, at controlled temperatures that allow for gentle and precise extraction of the aromas and tannins of the Pinot Noir.

Aging then takes place in French oak barrels, typically Burgundian (228 liters), with a proportion of new wood adapted to each cuvée and the age of the vines. For prestige cuvées such as the Clos de la Roche, aging lasts between 16 and 18 months, with a controlled proportion of new barrels so as never to mask the signature of the terroir. The wines undergo neither fining nor excessive filtration, in keeping with the traditional Burgundian approach. This philosophy produces a recognizable signature: wines of great aromatic finesse, deeply marked by their terroir, with a balanced structure, a silky tannic framework and great aging potential, capable of evolving for 7 to 20 years depending on the cuvée.

The cuvées of Domaine Armand Vincenot

Clos de la Roche Grand Cru: the estate's signature cuvée and absolute jewel, crafted from 100% Pinot Noir sourced from the prestigious Clos de la Roche parcel, one of the most celebrated Grand Crus of Morey-Saint-Denis. Traditional Burgundian vinification, long aging in French oak barrels. Deep ruby color, complex and captivating nose with aromas of red and black fruits (cherry, blackcurrant), flowers, spices, undergrowth and mineral notes, deep and elegant palate with a noble tannic structure, finely oaked, long and persistent. A benchmark Grand Cru, built to age 7 to 20 years, ideal with grilled and roasted red meats, meats in brown sauce, game and offal.

Vosne-Romanée Village: a village-level cuvée in the Vosne-Romanée appellation, crafted from 100% Pinot Noir sourced from carefully selected parcels in this mythical village of the Côte de Nuits. Brilliant ruby color, expressive nose of red fruits, flowers, spices and mineral notes, silky and deep palate with a fine tannic structure and a long finish. An elegant and noble expression of the great Burgundian village, with an airy and complex signature.

Gevrey-Chambertin Village: a village-level cuvée in the Gevrey-Chambertin appellation, another epicenter of Burgundy's great reds. 100% Pinot Noir, vinified and aged according to the great Burgundian tradition. Deep color, complex nose of black fruits, spices and earthy notes, structured and full-bodied palate with a noble tannic structure, built for aging. A powerful and thoroughbred expression of the great village of Chambertin.

Morey-Saint-Denis Village: a village-level cuvée in the Morey-Saint-Denis appellation, from parcels neighboring the famous Clos de la Roche. 100% Pinot Noir, vinified in the great tradition of the house. Intense ruby color, expressive nose with aromas of red and black fruits, spices and mineral notes, silky and balanced palate with a smooth tannic structure. A Morey-Saint-Denis village of great purity, revealing the estate's signature in this great village.

Bourgogne Pinot Noir: an entry-level regional cuvée, crafted from 100% Pinot Noir. Light ruby color, fresh nose with notes of red fruits (cherry, raspberry), fluid and generous palate with the classic Burgundian signature. An ideal introduction to the world of Domaine Armand Vincenot, at an accessible price.

Bourgogne Hautes Côtes de Nuits: a regional cuvée from the Hautes Côtes de Nuits, crafted from 100% Pinot Noir. Brilliant ruby color, aromatic nose of fresh red fruits and floral notes, refreshing and approachable palate with the typical freshness of the higher slopes of the Côte de Nuits. A generous and accessible cuvée, reflecting the diversity of the terroirs cultivated by the house.