Clos de la Roche
The Clos de la Roche is a classified as grand cru vineyard in the Côte -d'Or in the Burgundy region in France. It is located in the town of Morey -Saint -Denis and has its own appellation. This encompasses an area of 16.9 acres. Produced exclusively red wine. The name alludes to the numerous boulders with which the soil is penetrated.
Location, climate and soil
The Clos de la Roche is on a slightly rising in the east slope 270 to 300 m above sea level. To the north it borders on the Premier Cru Aux Combottes of Gevrey - Chambertin, south, the Clos Saint- Denis joins. The appellation includes beside the historic Clos de la Roche (4.56 ha ), nor the vineyards Monts- Luisants -Bas (3.74 ha), Les Mochamps (2.56 ha), Les Froichots, Les Fremières and Les Chabiots. It consists of 110 plots, which share about 40 owners. The largest shares have established in Morey -Saint -Denis domains Jean-Marie Ponsot ( 3.4 ha), Dujac (1.95 ha ), Pierre Amiot ( 1.2 ha) and Georges Lignier (1 ha). In addition, 1.65 acres of Coquard - Loison - Fleurot from Flagey -Echezeaux and 1.48 hectares of Domaine Armand Rousseau Gevrey- Chambertin. In 1989, the Domaine Leroy acquired 0.67 hectares, and since 1991, the Hospices de Beaune have 0.44 hectares of the Clos de la Roche ( Cuvée Georges Kritter ). The area was acquired by means of a bequest the co-founder of the champagne brand Kriter. Most plots are aligned across the slope.
The climate is attributed to the Burgundian transitional climate, outweigh the continental influences over maritime. The mostly dry and hot summer, let the Pinot Noir to ripen though, great vintages emerge only when there is no rain in the fall affects the reading. Due to the pure east facing the micro-climate is relatively cool but protected from any late frosts.
The Clos de la Roche has a brown, calcareous ground support, which is in places only 30 cm thick. Among these are large pieces of rock ( roches ), who have given the location its name. The Jura underbody originates from the epoch of the Bajocian. Its content of clay is identical to the Clos Saint- Denis and the Chambertin.
Wine
The Clos Saint- Denis is usually generated exclusively from Pinot Noir. As another Pinot and Pinot Liébault Beurot are allowed. Theoretically, up to 15 % white grapes ( Chardonnay, Pinot Gris and Pinot Blanc) are used. The natural alcohol content must be at least 11.5 vol - % amount. The Chaptalisation is - as everywhere in Burgundy - allowed. The base yield is 35 hectoliters per hectare per year. This value may be exceeded by a maximum of 20%. In the years 2000 to 2004 annually 589 hectoliters were produced in the middle, so 36 hl / ha. This provides the Grand Cru good 76,500 bottles per year.
From wine connoisseurs the wines of Clos de la Roche potentially be referred to as the most powerful, deepest and longest-lasting of Morey -Saint- Denis. In good vintages can develop a dark ruby color and a complex, fruity bouquet of the wine. He then has a great flavor intensity. However, the stylistic and qualitative differences of each producer are considerable, which is why generalizations of wine connoisseurs usually be avoided.
History
A Walling of the vineyard, referred to by the name component " Clos " usually has probably never existed. The word " Clos " was rather in the Middle Ages, a general name for a vineyard in Burgundy. 1855 Dr. Jules Lavalle classified the vineyard as 1ère Cuvée, so as a primary location. Like the Clos Saint- Denis, he was in the 19th and 20th centuries to a " peasant " vineyard. Today belongs to the greater part of the vineyard vintners from the community Morey -Saint- Denis. The vineyards, especially in Grand Crus has won in the last decades in value dramatically. In 1990, the acres in the Clos de la Roche was 15 million francs rated ( well 2.3 million euros ), at the same price level as Bonnes Mares, but above the Clos Saint- Denis.
The status of a Grand Cru received the Clos de la Roche in 1936. Decree on the Controlled Appellation simultaneously recorded neighboring Grands Crus Bonnes Mares and Clos Saint- Denis. By adding several neighboring layers of the Clos de la Roche was doing extended from 4.57 to 15.34 acres. The neighboring layers were not necessarily equivalent quality, the distinction was primarily the result of a longer local political tug of war. In 1971 he was again increased to 0.95 ha: The wedged between Grands Crus location Genavrières slammed him.