Domaine Henri Rebourseau : Clos de Vougeot Grand cru "Vieilles Vignes" 2021

Characteristics and tasting advice for the Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru "Vieilles Vignes" 2021 from Domaine Henri Rebourseau

Tasting

Appearance

The wine displays a deep ruby-red hue with violet highlights typical of a young Burgundy Pinot Noir. Its color intensity reflects fine concentration while retaining an elegant translucency.

Nose

The aromatic bouquet is complex and evolving. The first aromas reveal ripe red and black fruit, notably black cherry, raspberry and blackberry, alongside delicate floral notes of peony and licorice. With aeration, the nose gradually gains more complex tertiary nuances suggestive of black truffle, damp undergrowth, forest moss, and subtle mineral touches reminiscent of chalk.

Palate

The attack is elegant and composed, shaped by silky, well-integrated tannins. The palate builds progressively with substantial concentration, unfolding a complex succession of flavors ranging from red and black fruit preserves to fine coffee, light cocoa, black radish, mineral notes and licorice. The tannic structure remains present yet wrapped in generous fruit, suggesting strong aging potential. Natural acidity runs through the entire tasting, providing lasting freshness. The finish lingers for several seconds, as the initial flavors gradually shift toward more mineral and earthy nuances characteristic of the terroir.

Food and wine pairings

This Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru "Vieilles Vignes" 2021 pairs perfectly with venison à la Vougeot. It also matches harmoniously with richly prepared red meats, feathered or furred game, as well as aged washed-rind cheeses or hard cheeses.

Serving and cellaring

It is recommended to decant the Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru "Vieilles Vignes" 2021 at least two hours before tasting. Serve at a temperature of around 18°C. This wine should not be enjoyed before around 2029. Its peak is expected between around 2036 and 2046, and it has the ability to age well beyond 2050.

A Burgundy Grand Cru from century-old vines in Clos de Vougeot

The estate

Founded in 1782, Domaine Henri Rebourseau now spans 13.5 hectares of vineyards located in the heart of the Côte de Nuits in Gevrey-Chambertin. Since December 2018, the Bouygues family has become the estate’s majority shareholder, while preserving the involvement of the de Surrel family, which has managed the property for seven generations. Pierre Graffeuille currently heads SCDM Domaines, the owner holding company, while Louis and Bénigne de Surrel oversee day-to-day operations. The estate has practiced organic farming since 2006, strengthened by biodynamic methods since 2008, reflecting a deep commitment to environmental stewardship and the authentic expression of terroir.

The vineyard

Clos de Vougeot, of which the estate owns 2.21 hectares, is one of the most prestigious parcels in Burgundy. This historic vineyard, founded by the Abbey of Cîteaux around 1110 and enclosed by walls for more than five centuries, covers about 50 hectares shared among more than eighty owners. The estate’s plot occupies a singular position at the crossroads of several designations, benefiting from an exceptional diversity of microtopographies and soil characteristics. The soils vary with altitude: shallow and gravelly at the top, more clay-rich in the mid-slope, and increasingly marly at the bottom. The vines used for the Vieilles Vignes cuvée come specifically from plantings carried out in 1927, giving an average age of 98 years at the 2021 harvest.

The vintage

The year 2021 was a particularly challenging vintage for Burgundy winegrowers. A severe episode of early frosts struck in early April, with temperatures dropping to five to six degrees Celsius below zero, partially destroying the primary buds. The growing cycle then unfolded under unfavorable summer conditions throughout July and much of August, marked by cooler-than-average temperatures, excessive cloud cover, and above-average rainfall. These damp conditions intensified pressure from fungal diseases, requiring intensive management and constant vigilance. From mid-August onward, the weather improved with a return to sunny days and cool nights. Harvest took place between September 17 and 24, 2021, producing grapes with satisfactory ripeness despite significantly reduced yields.

Winemaking and aging

The grapes for Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru "Vieilles Vignes" 2021 are harvested by hand, allowing for meticulous selection berry by berry. Cooled upon arrival at the winery, they are fermented with gentle punch-downs during extended macerations. This soft fermentation approach preserves the grape’s aromatic integrity while encouraging balanced tannin extraction. Aging takes place in French oak barrels for around a year, allowing the wine to develop complexity while respecting the expression of terroir.

Grape variety

100% Pinot Noir