Domaine de la Vougeraie : Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru "Les Mazoyères" 2020

Characteristics and tasting tips for the Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru "Les Mazoyères" 2020 from Domaine de la Vougeraie

Tasting

Appearance

The appearance unveils a bright, luminous, and vibrant purple color, attesting to beautiful concentration and promising youth.

Nose

The bouquet reveals remarkable aromatic complexity, blending notes of red fruit (raspberry, wild strawberry) and black fruit (blackberry, black plum). Mineral nuances of pencil lead and white stone add extra sophistication, while floral touches of peony and violet are revealed upon aeration. Spicy accents of black pepper and cinnamon complete this bouquet, accompanied by subtle notes of forest floor and forest moss.

Palate

On the palate, this wine expresses a remarkable balance between fruity delicacy and assertive structure. The body is moderately concentrated, with an initially velvety texture that gives way to firm yet refined tannins. The flavors focus on the red fruit register (strawberry, raspberry, redcurrant) rather than black fruit, creating complexity through restraint rather than intensity. The saline and mineral finish is long-lasting, with a powerful and austere persistence that attests to fine aging potential.

Food and wine pairings

This Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru "Les Mazoyères" 2020 is ideal with roasted or stewed meats such as lamb with sauce, braised beef, duck, or poultry in red wine sauce. It also pairs perfectly with grilled or sauced feathered game, as well as ripened soft cheeses like Camembert or Brie, or Burgundian cheeses such as Epoisses.

Service and storage

It is recommended to serve the Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru "Les Mazoyères" 2020 at a temperature between 16 and 17°C. Decanting for 30 minutes to one hour allows the aromas to open up and the tannic structure to soften. This wine can be appreciated from 2025-2026, but will gain complexity with time and can be cellared until around 2045, or even beyond under optimal storage conditions.

A Burgundy Grand Cru from century-old vines and exceptional biodynamic viticulture

The estate

Domaine de la Vougeraie was created in 1999 through the consolidation of prestigious family plots under the impetus of Jean-Charles Boisset and his sister Nathalie. Established in Premeaux-Prissey in Burgundy, between the Côte de Nuits and the Côte de Beaune, and under the general management of Sylvie Poillot since 2017, the property has established itself as the largest Burgundy estate certified in organic and biodynamic agriculture. This demanding viticultural approach earned it exceptional recognition with three stars in the Revue du Vin de France 2024 guide, thus consecrating its excellence and the remarkable consistency of its wines.

The vineyard

The Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru "Les Mazoyères" comes from a 0.735-hectare plot located mid-slope with an eastern exposure. The vines, planted in 1901-1902, are among the oldest in Burgundy at around 122 years of age. The soil consists of clayey silt in the upper part and pure silt in the lower sections, with limestone earth at the top of the slope evolving towards browned soils lower down. This vertical stratification creates distinct micro-environmental conditions that contribute to the wine's aromatic and structural complexity. The planting density reaches 10,000 vines per hectare, with massal selection preserving the original genetic material. The vineyard is managed according to organic and biodynamic farming principles, with applications of herbal preparations (nettle, rhubarb, horsetail) and respect for the lunar calendar for all viticultural interventions.

The vintage

The year 2020 began with a mild winter followed by a contrasting spring. The vines escaped spring frosts, allowing for uniform flowering that heralded a high-quality vintage. Summer proved hot and sunny with periods of drought, favoring optimal grape ripening. Weather conditions allowed full maturity to be reached without requiring sorting at harvest, thus guaranteeing berries of remarkable generosity and balance.

Winemaking and ageing

The grapes for the Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru "Les Mazoyères" 2020 are harvested manually and transported in perforated crates. Winemaking begins with a five-day cold maceration at 12-15°C, allowing for delicate aromatic extraction without starting fermentation. The entire harvest is vinified as whole bunches (100% whole cluster), without added yeast or enzymes, favoring indigenous yeasts. Total maceration extends over 20 days with light daily pump-overs. Ageing then takes place for 16 months in oak barrels, including 35% new oak and 65% barrels of one wine or more. The barrels come from the Cîteaux and Tronçais forests, with a long and slow toast. Bottling respects the lunar calendar, in accordance with the estate's biodynamic principles.

Grape variety

100% Pinot Noir