A Trilogy in the Côte de Nuits at Château de Clos Vougeot

Report on the A Trilogy in the Côte de Nuits tasting, Monday, March 11, 2019

For the latest edition of “A Trilogy in the Côte de Nuits,” producers from the Burgundy appellations of Chambolle-Musigny, Morey-Saint-Denis, Vosne-Romanée and Vougeot presented the 2017 Burgundy vintage. A cold winter and an especially warm spring led to early budbreak, as in 2011. A significant risk of frost threatened growers in late April. Ultimately, the harvest was good in both quality and quantity. The 2017 vintage brought a return to a normal-sized crop and ranks among the charming vintages! 

The Vins & Millésimes team attended this professional tasting to discover red wines from several winemakers and bring you the best selection of fine Burgundy wines. With nearly a hundred Burgundy estates in attendance and an average of four “climats” at each stand, we had to choose just a few wines from a handful of these talented winemakers:

Arnoux Lachaux - Vosne-Romanée

Founded through the partnership of Pascal Lachaux and Florence Lachaux, daughter of Robert Arnoux, this estate has become a leading name in Burgundy. Its vines cover 14.5 hectares across 15 Côte de Nuits appellations, with a fine selection of premiers and grands crus, including Echezeaux, Clos Vougeot, Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Les Suchots and Romanée Saint-Vivant.

• Bourgogne Pinot Fin 2017 : this blend of Pinot Noir from the villages of Chambolle-Musigny, Vosne-Romanée and Nuits-Saint-Georges has woody and fruity notes and is slightly tannic. It can be aged for several years to reveal its full character.
• Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru 2017 : built for aging, this grand cru offers a rich, complex bouquet of red fruit and plum aromas, supported by a fine tannic structure.
• Échezeaux Grand Cru 2017: a dazzling grand cru with everything you would expect of a truly fine wine: finesse, depth, elegance and richness.

> Discover our selection of wines from Domaine Arnoux Lachaux

Ghislaine Barthod - Chambolle-Musigny

This 6.5-hectare Burgundy estate specializes in Burgundy premiers crus. Thanks to a particularly remarkable 1998 vintage, Ghislaine Barthod made a name for herself with characterful yet refined wines and carefully controlled tannin extraction.

• Bourgogne 2017 : an intense, complex nose, very supple tannins and a tangy finish. Rounded and textural, this wine is a pleasure to drink.
• Chambolle-Musigny 1^er Cru Aux Beaux-Bruns 2017: an expressive, inviting nose with aromas of fresh fruit and juicy cherries, exceptionally fine tannins and an airy finish.
• Chambolle-Musigny 1^er Cru Les Cras 2017 : this Chambolle-Musigny is a red-fruit nectar that needs time to reveal itself. The tannins are well integrated, and the palate is pure and elegant.

> Discover our selection of wines from Domaine Ghislaine Barthod

Bruno Clavelier - Vosne-Romanée

A benchmark estate for biodynamic viticulture in Burgundy, this winemaker grows Pinot Noir on 6.5 hectares across the Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune, in Gevrey-Chambertin, Nuits-Saint-Georges, Chambolle-Musigny, Aloxe-Corton and, of course, Vosne-Romanée. Producing 16 cuvées, the estate is distinctive for making a single cuvée from each named vineyard site within each of its Vosne-Romanée appellations.

• Vosne-Romanée Les Hautes Maizieres 2017: a spicy nose with notes of ripe fruit (black cherries) and a fleshy, powerful palate. Pronounced tannins suggest aging potential of at least 7 to 10 years.
• Vosne-Romanée 1^er cru Les Beaux Monts 2017: a favorite among these Vosne-Romanée wines, offering elegance and balance with a subtle, generous, structured palate.
• Vosne-Romanée La Combe Brûlée 2017 : a wine rich in texture, with softer, well-integrated tannins. The palate is harmonious, with gentle acidity.

> Discover our selection of wines from Domaine Bruno Clavelier

Anne Gros - Vosne-Romanée

Anne Gros’s wines stand out in Burgundy thanks to meticulous viticulture across 6.5 hectares and a deep respect for terroir. Their grand cru vines are among the oldest in Burgundy. Outside the grands crus, each parcel is contiguous, exceptionally well situated and carefully tended: their Chambolle-Musigny borders Musigny Grand Cru, while their Vosne-Romanée lies directly beside Richebourg Grand Cru. The Gros family also owns Domaine Gros Frère et Sœur, the entity formed by Domaine Jean Gros and Domaine Michel Gros, and Domaine A. F. Gros.

• Vosne-Romanée Les Barreaux 2017 : the nose offers black fruit aromas and peppery notes. The palate is direct and vibrant, with a slight tang.
• Clos Vougeot Grand Cru Grand Maupertui 2017 : expansive on the palate. Aromas range from black fruit (cherries, blackcurrants, plums) to spices (pepper, licorice, nutmeg...). This wine’s almost austere power calls for aging.
• Richebourg Grand Cru 2017 : the balance between tannins and acidity is perfect—astonishing in a young wine built for aging. The palate is dense and sensual. Its aromas are incredibly complex, with black fruit and spices followed by a floral finish (peony, rose, violet).

> Discover our selection of wines from Domaine Anne Gros