Born above the legends, on the narrow slope overlooking the Romanée-Conti, the Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Les Petits Monts 2023 from Domaine Georges Noëllat stands as an ode to Pinot Noir in its noblest form. Here, the delicate altitude of the site, the clay-limestone and marl-limestone soils, and the demands of attentive viticulture compose a score of striking purity. 2023 finds an ideal setting here, offering refined freshness, controlled energy and a luminous aromatic intensity. The fruit is precise and vibrant, edged with exact spices and memories of woodland. The mouthfeel, silky without showiness, extends the sense of balance with an almost musical grace. This cuvée speaks to connoisseurs of taste, to those who seek accuracy over effect, depth over spectacle, the serene depth of a great Vosne terroir.

Blend and winemaking

An exclusive single-varietal expression of Pinot Noir, this cuvée comes solely from the Les Petits Monts site on the hillside. Fermentation is carried out with indigenous yeasts, following a cold maceration that encourages gentle extraction of colour and aromas. The aging in French oak barrels, with a judicious proportion of new oak, refines the structure, sharpens the tannins and gives the wine a noble breathing space. True to a minimalist approach, the wine is bottled without fining or filtration, preserving the integrity of the material, the frankness of the fruit and the signature of the vintage. The precision of the winemaking gestures, attention to every detail and the refusal to mask the terroir with oenological artifices give this cuvée rare clarity and exemplary verticality.

Tasting notes

• Colour : Deep ruby with garnet highlights, clear and concentrated, its shine announces a wine that is both dense and graceful. The slow tears on the glass testify to a caressing and precise texture.
• Nose : A finely chiselled bouquet of crisp red berries, Morello cherry and raspberry, lifted by fine spices evoking cinnamon and pink pepper, with an elegant veil of woodland and noble humus. Aeration reveals a subtle floral dimension, around peony and old rose.
• Palate : Precise and lifted attack, mid-palate with a frame of fine tannins, velvety texture without heaviness. The crystalline freshness of the vintage lengthens the wine and highlights the purity of the fruit. Persistent finish, spicy and delicately earthy, with a salivating return that invites food.

Serving temperature and advice

Serve this 1er Cru between 15 and 17°C in large glasses to encourage the bouquet to open. A measured decanting of 30 to 60 minutes, depending on your perception, will help soften the youthful tannins and harmonise the aromatic profile. Store bottles on their side, protected from vibrations and light, in a cool, steady cellar. The 2023 shows a high aging potential, promising evolution towards more complex notes of delicate truffle, dried leaves and root spices, while retaining the fruit’s backbone. At the table, favour gentle cooking and clear jus so as never to overpower the wine’s natural elegance.

Food pairings

• Starters : lightly truffled poultry terrine, perfect egg with brown mushrooms, finely seasoned hand-cut beef tartare.
• Mains : roast poultry with jus, duck breast pink, braised veal with fresh herbs, accompaniments of glazed root vegetables.
• Burgundian cuisine : slow-cooked meat cuts, reduced sauces, sautéed mushrooms, respecting the wine’s fruit-spice balance.
• Cheeses : époisses, as well as other mature, characterful cheeses, served at room temperature with slightly toasted country bread.
• Seasonal pairings : in autumn, mushroom variations and short jus; in spring, fine poultry and new vegetables.

Occasions to enjoy

The Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Les Petits Monts 2023 is the ideal companion for:

• Elevating an intimate dinner where attention focuses on conversation and the nuance of the dishes.
• During a tasting focused on Burgundy terroirs, to compare sites and vintages with precision.
• As a gift for a connoisseur to give to someone who appreciates the finesse and depth of a great 1er Cru.

Characteristics

• Name : Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Les Petits Monts 2023, Domaine Georges Noëllat
• Appellation : Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru AOC
• Type : Red wine
• Vintage : 2023
• Grape : Pinot Noir (100%)
• Terroir : Climat Les Petits Monts, slope above the Romanée-Conti, clay-limestone and marl-limestone soils
• Vinification : cold maceration, indigenous yeasts
• Aging : French oak barrels, portion of new oak adjusted, without fining or filtration
• Cellaring : high aging potential
• Serving temperature : 15–17°C, decanting recommended