Among the legendary terroirs that shape the imagination of Burgundy's great wines, the Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru 2017 by Bastion de l'Oratoire Chanson holds a special place. Located in the very centre of the clos, in the shadow of the château, this noble Pinot Noir accurately conveys the marriage of clay-limestone soil and controlled élevage. The luminous, balanced 2017 vintage here reveals deep, nuanced material, aged 16 months in barrel in the Bastion, a 16th-century building that has become a setting for patience and expertise. Deep ruby in the glass, an intense bouquet of blackcurrant and blackberry jam with hints of blond tobacco and delicate chocolate, the cuvée stands in the great tradition of the Côte de Nuits reds, with that extra soul that distinguishes exceptional bottles. Scored 17+/20 by J. Robinson, this Grand Cru appeals to taste connoisseurs as well as collectors seeking a reliable signature for their cellar—able to move the drinker now and to evolve gracefully over the years.

Assemblage et vinification

Made from 100% Pinot Noir, this Clos de Vougeot draws its strength from a clay-limestone soil that gives the grapes a natural tension and admirable precision of texture. Vinification, carried out with constant care, preserves the integrity of the fruit and the finesse of the tannins, allowing the personality of the site to express itself. The 16 months in barrel ageing carried out in the Bastion de l'Oratoire, a 16th-century monument, wraps the wine in discreet, well-bred oak without ever overpowering the variety's clarity. Time acts here like a goldsmith, polishing the texture, refining the depth and unifying the structure around a clear aromatic thread, delivering a Grand Cru where power and elegance converse naturally.

Notes de dégustation

• Appearance: Deep, bright ruby with intense reflections, it announces controlled concentration. The clarity indicates precise élevage, while the substantial presence at the rim suggests good reserve. In the glass, the colour captures the light and renders it with restraint, promising a structured, silky wine destined to gain complexity with oxygenation and age.
• Nose: Intense and refined, it opens on blackcurrant and blackberry jam, supported by notes of tobacco and chocolate. Touches of noble oak and a subtly smoky hint frame the whole without weighing it down. With aeration, the palette gains definition, the fruit becomes tauter with elegance, the terroir's minerality underlines aromatic purity, and one perceives the right balance between depth and freshness that marks great age-worthy wines.
• Palate: The attack is broad, the silky texture unfolds over a dense, structured framework. The integrated tannins, very fine-grained, support a precise fruit. The fine oak works in the background, adding lift and length without ever masking the Pinot Noir's resonance. The finish stretches out long, with beautiful persistence, recalling delicately spiced black fruit, blond tobacco and a touch of chocolate, signs of controlled ripeness and perfectly calibrated élevage.

Température de service et conseils

Serve this Grand Cru between 16 and 17°C in large wine glasses to encourage the bouquet to open and the texture to show its fullness. Prior aeration, preferably decanting for about one hour, helps to harmonise the tannins and release the aromatic expression. Store bottles in a cool cellar, away from light, laid on their side to preserve the cork seal. The 2017 vintage offers immediate pleasure but has an ageing potential of 10 to 15 years under good conditions, during which complexity will gain nuance and harmony.

Accords mets et vin

• Appetisers: golden gougères, delicate poultry rillettes, Burgundy parsley ham for a tasteful, measured start.
• Starters: oeuf en meurette (poached egg in red wine sauce), light game terrine, hand-cut beef tartare, whose texture echoes the wine's silky density.
• Main courses: grilled or sauced meats, côte de bœuf (rib steak), duck breast, roast pigeon, reduced jus. The structure pairs well with tender flesh and concentrated juices.
• Cheeses: regional classics, Époisses, Langres, Cîteaux. The wine's character supports the lactic intensity and refines the ensemble through its persistence.
• Desserts: best reserved for lightly sweet endings, spiced poached pear, lightly sweetened cocoa biscuit, so as to preserve the balance and nobility of the Grand Cru.

Moments de dégustation

The Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru 2017 is the ideal companion:

• To mark a grand dinner where each pairing creates a lasting memory.
• At a tasting among connoisseurs, to appreciate the terroir's precision and the vintage's balance.
• As an exceptional gift, a sure signature for a discerning, refined cellar.

Caractéristiques

• Nom : Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru 2017, Bastion de l'Oratoire Chanson
• Appellation : Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru AOC
• Type : Vin rouge
• Millésime : 2017
• Cépage : Pinot Noir (100%)
• Degré d’alcool : 13%
• Vieillissement : 16 mois en fût au Bastion de l’Oratoire
• Contenance : 75 cl
• Garde : 10 à 15 ans
• Température de service : 16–17°C