2019 Domaine de la Vougeraie Le Clos Blanc de Vougeot Monopole

Since its inception in 1999, Domaine de la Vougeraie has acquired one of the most impressive vineyard holdings in Burgundy, a range of Premier and Grand Crus across 39 appellations that would be the envy of many a winemaker. They began harvest on 9th September with young vines in Volnay and three days later Nuits Saint-Georges and Chardonnay began. There were 13 days of picking on the 48 hectares of vines. They used 110 pickers [a number was increased when they realised they needed to speed up the harvest], including the 14 people on the estate. Yields were lower on Pinot Noir and higher on Chardonnay, less so in the Côte de Beaune than in the Côte de Nuits. There was variation between plots, although the Chambolle vineyards were all picked on the same day. The cuvaison lasted for around 20 days, including cold maceration with one pigeage and remontage daily without air, until fermentation began. They now use larger barrels for the Bourgogne Rouge and some appellations with no more than 25% new oak for the Premier Crus and a maximum of 30% for the Grand Crus. The generic reds are bottled, the Village Crus in December and the rest in February and March. The whites are bottled in April.” This was a good set of wines from Domaine de la Vougeraie, which is the least you would expect given the vineyards in question.

The 2019 Vougeot 1er Cru Le Clos Blanc de Vougeot, the domaine’s 0.83 hectare monopole. This was picked three times (13, 14 and 19 September). Whole bunch pressing for 2 and a half hours with 12 hours of settling. Fermentation starts in stainless steel vats and ends in oak barrels. 16 months maturation in oak barrels (25% new) and 2 months in stainless steel. Stirring of the lees twice a month on specific dates. The wine was bottled on 26 April 2021 and production is limited to 14,883 bottles. The round palate shows lime, canned apricot and lots of passion fruit and pineapple notes towards the finish. This is a delicious and seductive white Vougeot and one of the few.