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

Report on the Trilogie en Côte de Nuits wine fair, Monday, March 11, 2019

For the latest edition of “Trilogie en Côte de Nuits,” producers from the Burgundy appellations of Chambolle-Musigny, Morey-Saint-Denis, Vosne-Romanée and Vougeot presented the Bourgogne 2017 vintage. A cold winter and particularly warm spring brought early budbreak, as in 2011. A serious threat of frost loomed over the winemakers in late April. In the end, the harvest delivered both quality and quantity. 2017 saw a return to a normal-sized crop and ranks among the most 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 present and an average of four “climats” at each station, we had to select just a few wines from a handful of these talented winemakers:

Arnoux Lachaux - Vosne-Romanée

Born from the partnership of Pascal Lachaux and Florence Lachaux, daughter of Robert Arnoux, this estate has become a Burgundy fixture. Its vines cover 14.5 hectares across 15 Côte de Nuits appellations, with an impressive selection of premiers and grands crus, notably 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 allow its character to emerge.
• 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 all the qualities of a truly fine wine: finesse, depth, elegance and richness.

> Explore 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 earned recognition for wines of character and great finesse, with carefully controlled tannin extraction.

• Bourgogne 2017 : An intense, complex nose, very supple tannins and a tangy finish. Rounded and textured throughout, this is a very enjoyable wine to taste.
• Chambolle-Musigny 1^er Cru Aux Beaux-Bruns 2017: An open, inviting nose with aromas of fresh fruit and juicy cherries. The tannins are exceptionally fine, and the finish is airy.
• 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.

> Explore our selection of wines from Domaine Ghislaine Barthod

Bruno Clavelier - Vosne-Romanée

A leading Burgundy estate in biodynamic viticulture, this winemaker grows Pinot Noir across 6.5 hectares in 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 plot in 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 point to 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 alongside a subtle, generous and structured palate.
• Vosne-Romanée La Combe Brûlée 2017 : A wine defined by its texture, with softer, more integrated tannins. The palate is harmonious, with gentle acidity.

> Explore our selection of wines from Domaine Bruno Clavelier

Anne Gros - Vosne-Romanée

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

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

> Explore our selection of wines from Domaine Anne Gros