Nuits-Saint-Georges L'Alliance

The 2021 vintage in Côte-d’Or will long be remembered as a year of challenges, where extreme weather put both the vines and the expertise of our team to the test. Marked by an historic frost in spring, the vintage demanded constant adaptation and tireless effort to preserve grape quality and craft wines of distinction.
The year began with a mild, wet winter, followed by a severe frost  in early April. This frost impacted the entire Burgundy wine region, reducing yields and affecting berry size. Summer proved unstable, with alternating periods of heat and rain, and overall cooler-than-average temperatures.
Despite these difficult conditions, flowering occurred under favourable conditions, and véraison (the onset of the ripening of the grapes with a change in their colour) benefitted from good sunshine starting mid-August. The harvest required rigorous sorting to select only the best grapes and compensate for frost losses.While the entire Côte-d’Or was affected by frost, its impact varied depending on the area and exposure of the land. The Côte de Beaune, being further south and where spring generally arrives sooner, was more vulnerable to spring frost. The Côte de Nuits, on the other hand, is more subject to continental influences with more contrasting temperatures. These subtle differences played a role in how the vines resisted to frost and how the grapes ripened.
The red wines from the Côte de Nuits in 2021 are characterized by their intensity and complexity. Despite the frost, the grapes reached great ripeness, resulting in structured and aromatic wines, with notes of red fruits, spices, and undergrowth (forest floor).
In white colour, Our Monopole Le Clos des Langres was not produced in 2021 due to the damage caused by the spring frost.

The 2022 vintage in Côte-d’Or will be remembered as an exceptional year, marked by abundant sunshine and favourable climatic conditions for the vines. After several years affected by unpredictable weather, 2022 delivered a generous and high-quality harvest, allowing us to replenish our stocks and delight Burgundy wine enthusiasts all round. The year began with a mild winter, followed by a significant lack of rain from February onwards. Both spring and summer were hot and dry, with exceptional sunshine. These conditions promoted optimal grape ripeness, resulting in a beautiful concentration of aromas and sugars. Despite some frost episodes in April, the vines remained in overall good health. Harvest was early, stretching from the end of August to mid-September.

The red wines from the Côte de Nuits in 2022 are marked by power and concentration. The hot and dry summer encouraged optimal grape ripening, resulting in structured wines with prominent tannins. Their aromatic profile is complex, with notes of red and black fruits (cherry, raspberry, blackcurrant), along with spicy nuances and a hint of liquorice.
The 2022 vintage produced a white Clos des Langres cuvée that combines freshness and balance.

The year 2023 in Côte-d’Or was marked by contrasting climatic conditions, which tested the expertise of our team. Between a mild winter, a mixed spring, and a summer alternating between heatwaves and cool thunderstorms, the vines had to adapt to produce what was in the end a generous and good quality harvest.2023 began with an exceptionally mild winter, with temperatures above normal in January and February. This phenomenon favoured an early start to the vine’s vegetative cycle. Spring, on the other hand, turned out to be cooler and more unstable, with temperatures fluctuating around the seasonal averages. Rainfall was generally deficient in the early months of the year, especially in February. The summer was marked by intense heatwaves, particularly in July and August, with temperatures exceeding 35°C (95°F).  On August 24th, a peak of heat was recorded with 38°C  (100°F) in the shade and 41°C (106°F) around the grapes. These heatwaves were occasionally followed by violent thunderstorms, sometimes with hail, which caused local damage. Despite these climatic challenges, sunshine remained generally satisfactory, especially in February, May, June, and September. It is worth noting that the mid-flowering occurred on June 6th and the beginning of veraison (the onset of ripening and the changing of colour of the grapes) on July 25th. In April 2023, the vine’s development was similar to that of 2009 or 2016, with a slight delay compared to the average. It is interesting to compare this development to the following year, where the 2024 vintage was 18 to 20 days ahead of 2023 in the same period.The 2023 vintage was marked by high pressure from downy mildew, requiring increased vigilance from our team. Powdery mildew was also present, favoured by the ambient humidity and mild temperatures. On the other hand, black rot was not very virulent. As for pests, bud-eaters were less prevalent than in previous years, and the European grapevine moth, despite favourable conditions, did not make a return. The green leafhopper was observed more frequently.
We began the harvest at Domaine d’Ardhuy on Tuesday, September 12, 2023, in the morning only, with a reduced team due to still scorching temperatures, and then with the full team the following day, when temperatures became more bearable.
The red wines from the Côte de Nuits in 2023 are notable for their power and structure. The hot summer favoured the concentration of aromas and tannins, while the summer rains helped maintain good vine hydration. The wines present a purple colour with violet hues and aromas of red and black fruits, such as sour cherry, raspberry, and blackcurrant, accompanied by spicy and liquorice notes.
The 2023 vintage allowed us to produce a white Monopole Le Clos des Langres with a lot o finesse with hints of white flowers and citrus.