Domaine de la Vougeraie : Clos Vougeot Grand cru 2021

Characteristics and tasting tips for Clos Vougeot Grand Cru 2021 from Domaine de la Vougeraie

Tasting

Appearance

The appearance unveils an intense and luminous ruby hue.

Nose

The nose reveals delicate aromas of black cherry, blackcurrant, and spices, expressing all the finesse of Burgundian Pinot Noir.

Palate

On the palate, the wine unfolds with elegance, supported by silky tannins that coat the palate delicately. The aromatic concentration remains remarkable without ever overpowering, revealing a subtle balance between power and finesse. The mineral finish of great freshness reflects the influence of the limestone soils of Clos Vougeot. The perfect alliance between depth and finesse extends into a masterful length.

Food and wine pairings

This Clos Vougeot Grand Cru 2021 pairs perfectly with grilled or roasted red meats, game such as pheasant or venison, as well as simmered dishes. For cheeses, opt for creamy washed-rind cheeses like Reblochon or Vacherin, or even hard cheeses.

Service and cellaring

The Clos Vougeot Grand Cru 2021 can be enjoyed from approximately 2023 to 2033. Its silky tannic structure, balanced acidity, and substantial concentration give it excellent aging potential over the next decade.

An ample Burgundy Grand Cru with beautiful finesse

The estate

Created in 1999 by Jean-Claude Boisset and his family, Domaine de la Vougeraie now extends over 44 hectares distributed across 72 plots covering 37 appellations in Burgundy. Managed by Jean-Charles and Nathalie Boisset, the estate stands out for its pioneering commitment to organic farming from its inception, and subsequently to Demeter-certified biodynamics since 2011. The estate possesses an exceptional portfolio comprising nine Grands Crus and several prestigious monopoles, including the famous Clos Blanc de Vougeot.

The vineyard

Clos Vougeot, the largest Grand Cru in the Côte de Nuits with 50 hectares, boasts a thousand-year history dating back to the 12th century when Cistercian monks from the Abbey of Cîteaux cultivated vines there. Domaine de la Vougeraie holds two distinct plots totaling approximately 1.4 hectares within this prestigious vineyard: Montiottes Hautes, situated mid-slope with an ideal eastern exposure, and Baudes Saint-Martin, in the lower part of the Clos. The soils in the upper part remain gravelly and stony, favoring increased concentration, while the lower part becomes progressively more clayey while maintaining optimal drainage.

The vintage

The 2021 vintage in Burgundy was marked by a late spring frost episode affecting the Burgundian vineyard with rare intensity. After milder spring conditions that favored flowering in late May, the months of June and July proved particularly rainy, followed by meteorological instability between mid-July and mid-August. Despite these climatic challenges, the harvested grapes reached optimal maturity and exceptional concentration, although production quantities remained very limited.

Vinification and aging

The harvest for the Clos Vougeot Grand Cru 2021 is carried out exclusively by hand, allowing for rigorous selective sorting. The estate practices whole-bunch vinification for its red wines, a technique aimed at increasing complexity and structural finesse. Vatting is carried out by natural gravity to minimize stress on the grapes. Fermentation exclusively uses indigenous yeasts naturally present on the grapes. A five-day cold pre-fermentation maceration limits the extraction of coarse tannins, followed by a moderate total maceration lasting 17 days. Aging takes place for 16 months in oak barrels, with approximately 20% new wood. The barrels are selected from eight different coopers, with a preference for wood from the Cîteaux forest.

Grape variety

100% Pinot Noir