Pierre Girardin : Clos de Vougeot Grand cru 2021

Tasting Characteristics and Recommendations for Pierre Girardin’s Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru 2021

Tasting

Color

The color displays an intense ruby red hue with deep garnet highlights.

Nose

The nose reveals a delicate, complex aromatic palette. Notes of ripe red fruits, notably raspberry and cherry, intertwine with floral hints of violet and subtle spicy nuances. With aeration, aromas of mushrooms and undergrowth, along with a mineral expression characteristic of the limestone terroir, gradually emerge. Discreet notes of toasted wood harmoniously round out this refined bouquet.

Palate

On the palate, this wine enchants with its silky, velvety texture. The tannins—remarkably fine and supple—elegantly structure the whole without ever overpowering it. The palate shows beautiful aromatic complexity, with flavors of blackberries, blueberries, and redcurrants, accompanied by subtle touches of cocoa, vanilla, and earthy minerality. The balance between fruity softness and mineral freshness gives the wine a striking harmony. The long, persistent finish leaves an impression of refinement and depth.

Food and Wine Pairing

This Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru 2021 is an ideal match for fine red meats such as a rib steak or a herb-roasted rack of lamb. It also pairs perfectly with feathered game such as pheasant or guinea fowl, as well as dishes featuring wild mushrooms. Soft cheeses with a washed rind, notably Époisses or Cîteaux, also make excellent pairings.

Serving and Cellaring

Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru 2021 is best enjoyed at a temperature between 15 and 16°C. Aerating for around 30 to 60 minutes before serving allows the wine to fully express its aromatic complexity. This wine has excellent aging potential and can improve for 15 to 20 years under proper cellaring conditions.

A Burgundy Grand Cru Combining Elegance and Minerality

The Estate

The Pierre Girardin estate was created in 2016 by Pierre-Vincent Girardin, who was just 18 years old at the time. Based in Meursault in Burgundy, the estate now spans 13 hectares across prestigious terroirs in the Côte d'Or. Pierre-Vincent Girardin represents the 13th generation of winemakers in his family and produced his first vintage in 2017 at the age of 19. Since 2018, the estate has practiced certified organic viticulture and draws inspiration from biodynamic principles. Pierre-Vincent Girardin now leads the estate, supported by his parents Vincent and his wife, who provide guidance. The estate has also expanded into the Jura with more than 6 hectares acquired since 2021, reflecting a forward-looking vision in the face of climatic challenges.

The Vineyard

The Clos de Vougeot is an exceptional terroir located in the heart of the Côte de Nuits in Burgundy. This Grand Cru appellation covers around 50 hectares surrounded by stone walls built five centuries ago. Founded around 1110 by the monks of the Abbey of Cîteaux, Clos de Vougeot displays a remarkable diversity of soils. In its upper section, at around 255 meters above sea level, the shallow, gravelly soils rest on a limestone base with excellent drainage capacity. The mid-slope section, around 250 meters, reveals browner, more clay-rich soils over fractured limestone. The lower part, at roughly 240 meters, features deeper soils rich in clay and marl. These Jurassic limestone terroirs, 175 million years old, offer ideal conditions for the expression of Pinot Noir.

The Vintage

The 2021 vintage in Burgundy benefited from relatively favorable conditions after several years of climatic volatility. Winter was marked by a severe frost episode affecting the entire French vineyard. A milder spring enabled flowering in late May, followed by particularly rainy months of June and July. Weather instability appeared between mid-July and mid-August. Despite these challenges, the 2021 vintage made it possible to produce balanced wines with fine concentration and preserved natural acidity.

Winemaking and Aging

To craft this Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru 2021, Pierre Girardin applies a minimalist winemaking philosophy. The grapes undergo a long, gentle pressing lasting around three hours. Vinification is characterized by a complete absence of punching down, pumping over, and rack-and-return, favoring a soft, natural extraction. This approach yields silky tannins and refined floral aromas. Aging takes place in traditional 225-liter barrels, mainly composed of once-filled or older casks in order to minimize the influence of new oak and preserve the pure expression of the terroir. The estate uses indigenous yeasts and maintains precise temperature control throughout the process.

Grape variety

100% Pinot Noir