The Clos Vougeot vineyard remained intact in the hands of the church until the French Revolution; since then it has been fragmented, and today, there are upwards of seventy owners. The geologic composition ranges from chalky clay, high in pebbles, on the higher parts of the slope, to moist, compact soil richer in humus and with fewer pebbles on the lower. These variations in soil, and the numerous individual owners, account for the variation in the wines. Louis Jadot is one of the principal owners in the Clos Vougeot, with a 6.36-acre parcel assembled primarily from its acquisition of the vineyards of Clair Daü and Domaines Champy in the 1980s; Jadot controls, in addition to this, another 1.73 acres through long-term contracts. It is vinified to produce a rich wine of power and depth which retains a subtlety of body and elegant complexity, with full, fragrant and distinctly floral bouquet.
Louis Jadot, founded in 1859, is one of the most important négociants to consider when purchasing the wines of Burgundy. The firm produces an amazing number of cuvees each year, which range from generic Bourgogne as well as Beaujolais, right up to top of the class examples from a number of Grand Cru vineyards including Bonnes Mares, Clos de Bèze and Chapelle-Chambertin, to name just three..
The Clos Vougeot has a ripe, quite floral bouquet with fresh strawberry, Morello and rose petal, glacier cherry developing with further aeration. The palate has rather brittle tannins, racy acidity but distinctly lacking the complexity of its peers on the competent finish. Tasted January 2011.
Confident oak influence, dry tannins, very regimented structure. Firm and forbidding. (RH)
Medium red. Cool aromas of black cherry, menthol and licorice. Tough going following the Clos de Beze, showing an extremely primary medicinal cherry, licorice, herb and pepper character. Finishes with youthfully tough tannins and noteworthy freshness. This will require extended bottle aging.
