Clos Vougeot appellation
The institution of this appellation d'origine contrôlée wine dates back to 1937. It designates the red Grands Crus of the
Clos-de-Vougeot region. This appellation area covers the commune of
Vougeot, along with
Musigny,
Grands Echézeaux,
Chambolle-Musigny and Flagey-Echézeaux. 80 owners share the cultivation of the 50 ha of Grands Crus vineyards, an area which represents the largest in Burgundy for this production. In this guide, you'll find everything you need to know about the terroir of the
Vougeot appellation and the best wines in the appellation
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Terroir of Clos Vougeot appellation
The
Clos de Vougeot, in the heart of the Côte des Nuits, occupies a large part of the vineyards of the commune of
Vougeot. It refers to the group of plots surrounded by low walls separating the village of
Vougeot from the vineyards of Chambolle-Musigny. It is surely the most famous of all the Clos de Bourgogne. It is also the only vineyard entitled to the Grand Cru de Bourgogne appellation. It produces red wines from the Pinot Noir grape variety
The history of
Clos de Vougeot goes back to the time of the Cistercian monks of the Abbey of Cîteaux. The original purpose of the wall, built in the 12th century, was to protect the vines from illegal grape-pickers. Today, however, the wall jealously guards the AOC vines classified as Grands Crus. Until the French Revolution, this vineyard was considered a monk's site. After the Revolution, the Ouvraud family bought it until 1889, when it was divided into small plots. Today, more than 80 owners work this exceptional vineyard. The Château de
Clos de Vougeot is the headquarters of the Conférie de Tastevin
The quality of the wine-growing terroir of this Grand Cru is quite diverse: the tillable part of the soil is shallow and gravelly on a limestone base at an altitude of 255 m above sea level. At an altitude of 250 m, the clay soil is fairly deep and on gentle slopes, and at 240 m, the clay-marl soil is mixed with alluvium
Because of the many winemakers in the Clos and the difference between the winemaking processes and the diversity of soils, the
Clos de Vougeot displays many different styles of wine. The best wines of the appellation have a very intense red colour, an attractive bouquet of spring scents, violets, roses, ripe fruit with notes of wild mint, liquorice and truffle. When tasted, they have a rich, delicate, exquisite flavour and incredible longevity. Their ageing potential can reach more than 3 decades
Our selection of the best Clos de Vougeot wines
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Rene Engel: before the tragic death of Philippe Engel in 2005, the wines produced by this estate were elegant, fine and complex, capable of improving and ageing for a long time. They were rich in aromas of spice, liquorice and cherry, with a velvety mouthfeel and excellent depth. After his death, the estate was sold to François Pinault, who renamed it Domaine d'Eugénie. For wine-lovers who enjoy succulent, rare wines from Philippe Engel's last years and older vintages, take advantage of the promotional sale on site.
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Prieuré Roch: this estate's properties include a number of Grands Crus and Premiers Crus in
Clos de Vougeot, Chambertin-Clos-de-Bèze, Clos de Corvées, Vosne-Romanée and Côte d Beaune. This winemaker has earned a reputation for producing some of the most aromatically expressive wines. Find out more about the wines on offer from this cult producer of Burgundy wines.
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George Roumier: this estate also stands out in the
Clos de Vougeot appellation. It produces Grands Crus, Premiers Crus and village wines in a variety of appellations. Domaine Georges Roumier
Charmes Chambertin is best appreciated for its rich red fruit with a pleasant bouquet of liquorice and aniseed, and its light yet voluminous texture. The extremely rare
Clos Vougeot 1992 for sale on this site is a vintage produced from 45-year-old vines. A unique, rich, ripe red Grand Cru with a long finish and a fine balance between structure and fruit. A must-taste.
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Denis Mortet: This colossal figure in Burgundy wine has forged a reputation for himself with his range of wines from the 1993 vintage. These sumptuous, opulent wines are the fruit of this producer's pursuit of excellence. After taking his own life in 2006, his son Arnaud and his mother manage to produce elegant wines with mineral notes, without neglecting the weight of the wine. The estate currently has 14 hectares, including 10 hectares of Grands Crus and Premiers Crus appellations. We also offer this producer's best wines for sale on this site, such as Denis Mortet Chambertin Grand cru 2000 and Domaine Denis Mortet
Clos Vouget 2019.
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Drouhin: This estate is one of the most illustrious in Burgundy, with around 90 appellations. Its range of wines includes Grands Crus and Premiers Crus with a style faithful to Burgundian wines. Its wines are ripe and well-balanced, with medium levels of tannin and good acidity. Visit the page dedicated to this producer's wines to select from its older vintages, which faithfully express the superior quality of their terroir.