Burgundy’s legendary Clos de Vougeot is effectively a holy site. With close to 800 years of history, one of wine’s most breathtaking panoramas, and a magnificent château overlooking it all, Clos de Vougeot perhaps best exemplifies why the vineyards of Burgundy were collectively declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2015.
This wine is a piece of that pedigreed history—an especially choice piece, in fact. Domaine Drouhin-Laroze is known for owning some of the very best parcels of Clos de Vougeot (the largest Grand Cru in Burgundy and its most divvied up, with some 80 different owners) which were once part of a section reserved for the Popes of Avignon. This perfectly stored 2007 is one of the finest expressions of Clos de Vougeot you’ll find on the market; it has not moved since it landed on our shores; and it’s available to you at an unbeatable price. Entering its peak now, it is a heady combination of perfumed elegance, powerful structure, and endless charm. We’re very excited to share this wine with our top customers.
As some of you know, we recently came across a collection of fine, mature Burgundy in the cellar of some private collectors turned importers. Consisting mostly of California doctors, the group began visiting Burgundy in the 60’s and 70’s and had perfectly stored gems from some of Burgundy’s top sites. I tasted every wine in their library, and each showed exceptionally well. Presented with a rare opportunity, we purchased all of their wines at their original release price. Since prices in Burgundy have skyrocketed in the past decade, I’m delighted to offer you this wine at a price that is less than its potential wholesale price. It is pristine, mature, and as close to the Domaine’s own cellar condition as you’re going to get.
The Clos de Vougeot was first cultivated by Cistercian Monks in the 12th century and remained under their ownership until the French Revolution. Its famed château was built in 1551 and has been the headquarters of Burgundy’s famous Bacchanalian fraternity, the Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin, since the end of World War II. Because of its exceptionally large size (by Burgundy standards, anyway) and diversity of ownership, there are wide variations in the quality of wines labeled “Clos de Vougeot.” With Drouhin-Laroze, however, you’re zeroing in on some of the choicest “mid-slope” parcels in the entire vineyard—“Plante l’A Abbé” and “Quartier de Marei Haut,” two pieces of ideal aspect in a section dubbed “des Papes,” which was once reserved for the Popes of Avignon.
Drouhin-Laroze, meanwhile, has no shortage of history. Jean-Baptist Laroze first worked the soils of Gevrey-Chambertin back in 1850. His granddaughter, Suzanne Laroze, married Alexandre Drouhin, which joined her Gevrey holdings with his Chambolle-Musigny vineyards and the Domaine Drouhin-Laroze name was born. Today, the family Domaine is run by sixth-generation Philippe and Christine Drouhin, who have drastically reduced yields and have worked to craft wine in pristine conditions with traditional practices. After a manual harvest, the wine is fermented then aged in 80% new French oak for eighteen months. Each wine is a stunning, individual expression of vintage and terroir that is built to last. You’ll see that even with nine years under its belt, the ‘07 Clos de Vougeot still has plenty of life ahead of it.
The wine exhibits a dark ruby core with light garnet and slight orange hues on the meniscus, consistent with its age. The harmoniously composed nose reveals aromas of black cherry blossoms, dried raspberry and dried strawberry laced with a touch of tobacco, dried mushroom, forest floor, and exotic spices. The elegant yet structured palate has beautiful richness to the fruit and layer after layer of complex flavors, just a captivating expression of Clos de Vougeot. There is no need to decant this wine. Simply open 90 minutes prior and serve in Burgundy stems at 55-60 degrees. As with most examples of fine, mature Burgundy, a touch of funk will blow off and that inimitable Burgundy perfume will blossom in the glass within a few minutes. Don’t rush it: let it wake up slowly, then buckle up and enjoy the ride!
