Clos Saint-Denis

Styles

Principal grape varieties

Accessory grape varieties

Terroir

• The relief of the Côte de Nuits is tectonic in origin, extends approximately 25 kilometres on a north–south axis, and separates the calcareous plateaux of the Hautes-Côtes to the west from the Bresse plain to the east.
• The temperate oceanic climate receives approximately 750 millimetres of rainfall per year and has a mean annual temperature of 10.5°C, with no marked summer drought.
• The plots are situated in the lower half of the Côte escarpment, between 280 and 310 metres in altitude, entirely within the commune of Morey-Saint-Denis, with an easterly aspect.
• The bedrock consists of hard Bajocian limestones known as crinoidal limestones, overlain by a marly layer and then a hard but frost-susceptible Bathonian limestone.
• The soils are weakly developed, generally calcareous, and shallow, yet well-drained despite a high clay content; they are characterised as calcareous brown soils devoid of gravel on the lower slopes.

• The Clos Saint-Denis is first mentioned in 1367, with origins traceable to the eleventh century, when it was attached to the collegiate church of Saint-Denis de Vergy.
• Although designated a clos, this ensemble of just over 2 hectares appears never to have been truly enclosed by walls.
• The vines are trained at planting densities exceeding 9,000 vines per hectare, and the varietal composition is based on the Pinot noir grape variety.
• The practice is to age the wines over an extended period, which gives them a remarkable capacity for keeping.

• The wines display a ruby colour and are full-bodied and elegant, with an intense, distinguished nose frequently combining red fruits, eglantine, spice, and toasted almonds.
• On the palate the wines are supple and velvety, with remarkable length, and a few years of cellaring allows them to reach their full expression.

• The topographical situation of the plots protects them from the risks of frost and morning mists, while ensuring an easterly sun exposure that promotes rapid warming of the soil.
• Arising from a natural environment characterised by the relative poverty of its soils, the wines are defined by a singular, elegant, distinguished expression and excellent ageing potential.

Facts drawn from the specification's terroir-link section by automatic interpretation — see the source.

All appellations in France

Sources

• Product specification (BO Agri, PDF)
• Official INAO text (show_texte)
• INAO product entry
• Official trade body site — BIVB