Vougeot “Le Clos du Prieuré” Blanc Monopole Reviews

North of Clos de Vougeot, close to the village and the Vouge, the stream that gives the village its name, this two acres of chardonnay on pebbly limestone produced a juicy 2015 with flavors of fresh-cut pear. It expands from lean to opulent, finding a sweet and salty balance. Not as long-lived as Le Clos Blanc, this should be ready to drink after a year or two in the cellar.

Effusive aromas of smoke, mineral and spice are complemented by lemon and green apple flavors. A racy profile fits this tensile white like a glove. Excellent length. Best from 2019 through 2028.

Like liquid candy, this combines lemon cake, apple, floral and spice flavors seamlessly, with fine underlying structure. Harmonious and long, echoing with spice on the finish. —B.S.

This powerful white moves into red wine territory with touches of pale strawberry in its layered flavors. What’s more prominent is the ample leesiness, highlighted by scents of flower petals and lime zest. Along with that lime acidity, there’s enough salinity to cut through the richness of the flavor and keep the finish lively. Built to cellar for five years or more.

A hint of pain grillé is discernible on the more refined nose that displays essence of pear, citrus and white floral aromas. The refinement exhibited by the nose continues onto the textured and attractively intense medium-bodied flavors that possess a discreet minerality on the balanced, delicious and lingering finish. This is really quite good and worth a look. (89-91)/2016+

This two-acre walled vineyard once belonged to the Benedictine priory of the abbey of St-Germain-des-Pres in Paris. The chardonnay vines face east, were they border the Vouge stream, growing in calccareous soil with a lot of pebbles. The wine itself is all about minerals, its powerful density following a gracious, simple line. Deep and satisfyingly rich, its gravitas is lightened by scents of spice and flowers.

More generous and straightforwardly brisk than Le Clos Blanc, this wine has fresh melon flavors and a broad, smoky finish. Its deep, golden savor will develop into complexity over the next several years.

The 2010 Vougeot Le Clos Blanc de Vougeot emerges from a monopole site. The Clos Blanc is marked by its brilliant aromatic lift and energy. The aromas and flavors flesh out nicely to the deep, creamy finish. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2018. This is stunning set of wines from Pierre Vincent and Domaine de la Vougeraie. It is impossible to miss the attention to detail at this impeccably run domaine. No expense is spared. It takes 80 people to work the vineyards during harvest and another 20 in the cellar to take it from there. Production in 2010 was of course down significantly as it was everywhere else. Yields came in at 24 hectoliters per hectare for the Pinot and 29 for the Chardonnay. Vincent used between 30-80% whole bunches, depending on the wine. Readers who want to learn more might want to check out my video interview with Pierre Vincent on www.erobertparker.com. I will report on the domaine’s 2009s in the April issue. For now let me just say the 2009 Musigny is one of the wines of the vintage.