Clos Saint-Denis
The Clos Saint- Denis 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, has an area of 6.62 hectares and its own appellation. Produced exclusively red wine. The name " Saint- Denis" alludes to the St. Denis of Paris.
Location, climate and soil
The Clos Saint- Denis is on a slightly rising in the east slope 270 to 300 m above sea level. To the north it borders on the Clos de la Roche, south joins the Clos des Lambrays. The appellation includes beside the historic Clos Saint- Denis (2.14 ha ), nor the vineyard Maison- Brulee (1.82 ha), Les Chaffots (1.33 ha) and Calouère (1.30 ha). It consists of 37 parcels that share almost 20 owners. The largest shares have established in Morey -Saint -Denis domains Dujac and Lignier each 1.49 ha Almost all 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 bottom of the Clos Saint- Denis is made of brown, calcareous marl with a relatively small proportion ( 6-12 %) of limestones. A peculiarity of this vineyard is that it still has in the upper slope area on a good ground support. Just like the Chambertin Clos Saint- Denis is rich in phosphates. The high content of clay can give the wine structure, power and strength. The Jura underbody originates from the epoch of the Bajocian.
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 may be exceeded by a maximum of 20%. In the years 2000 to 2004 annually 225 hectoliters were produced from this vineyard in the middle. This corresponds to 37 hl / ha. This provides the Grand Cru good 29,000 bottles per year.
The wine can develop an intense bouquet, in which for example can be found aromas reminiscent of red fruits, rose hips, cinnamon and almonds. He then has a finely textured texture and also has a great taste sustainability. The Clos Saint- Denis wins by longer aging in the cellar. Jean -François Bazin ( see references ) referred to him as the "Mozart of the Côte d' Or". The variety and stylistic differences of the producer, but are stronger than the similarities, why generalizations of wine connoisseurs usually be avoided.
History
The origins of the Clos Saint- Denis can be chronologically not define exactly. The time of origin is suspected in the years 1023-1240. In 1023 was founded in Curtil -Vergy a the Saint -Denis ( Saint Denis of Paris) consecrated religious community of canons. In 1242 they had a wine cellar in Morey, indicating vineyard property in the community. The Clos Saint- Denis itself is first mentioned in 1367 in records. The vineyard has been never walled, the word " Clos " was rather in the Middle Ages, a general name for a vineyard in Burgundy.
After the destruction of their fortress-like seat by the troops of Henry IV in the religious wars, the canons in 1610 settled in Nuits -Saint -Georges. Here they owned vineyards. The boundaries of the Clos -Saint -Denis were never precisely fixed. In 1780 (2.12 ha ) can be mentioned as a monopoly held by the canons documented 49.5 Ouvrées. In addition, a further 23 plots were in the district Morey.
After the French Revolution, this church property was sold at auction. They were predominantly members of the middle class, who acquired him. In the 20th century, the ownership in favor of the local winemakers moved. This bought especially in the crisis of the 1920s and 1930s, the price very dilapidated and partly fallow vineyards. Most of the Clos Saint- Denis is now owned by wineries from the community Morey -Saint- Denis. The vineyards and especially the Grand Crus has won in the last decades in value dramatically. In 1990, the acres in the Clos Saint- Denis was 12 million francs rated ( well 1.8 million euros ).
The status of a Grand Cru received the Clos Saint-Denis on 8 December 1936. Maison Brûlée Here, the position as well as parts of the layers Les Chaffots and Calouère were the actual Clos Saint- Denis beaten yet. These are called equivalent quality. The Decree on the Controlled Appellation detected simultaneously the adjacent Grands Crus Bonnes Mares and Clos de la Roche.
In 1927, the congregation decided by Morey Saint -Denis as an attachment to their place names. This is a reference to the Clos Saint- Denis. But as the highest quality wine situation the district is considered by connoisseurs of the Clos de la Roche.