Clos de la Roche

France · AOC (PDO) · Burgundy

Styles

Natural factors

Shallow soils over a marly-limestone bedrock: 'calcaires à entroques' (Bajocian) at the base, frost-susceptible Bathonian limestones at the top.
Plots situated between 270 and 300 m elevation, in the lower half of the Côte de Nuits, east-facing (levant).
Temperate oceanic climate with continental influences; approximately 750 mm of rainfall per year, mean annual temperature 10.5 °C; sheltered from prevailing winds by the Burgundian plateaux.
Zone limited to the single commune of Morey-Saint-Denis (Côte-d'Or); the vineyard is spread across the lieu-dit 'Clos de la Roche' and six other surrounding lieux-dits. (via Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0)

Human factors

Planted exclusively with Pinot noir, at a density of more than 9,000 vines per hectare, in accordance with the practices of the Côte de Nuits.
Classified 'première classe' as early as 1860–1861; AOC recognised in 1936, incorporating the neighbouring lieux-dits from the outset.

Product characteristics

Deep colour, aromas of red and dark fruit (cherry, raspberry, blueberry), coffee, truffle, and violet; powerful structure.
Ageing potential of 10 to 15 years (up to 20 years in great vintages); with time, ageing softens and reveals the wines.

Facts drawn from the cahier's terroir-link section (Lien au terroir) by automatic interpretation — see the source.