Nuits-Saint-Georges Vaucrains
Premier CruGrape Variety :
Pinot NoirVineyard
Site: at the heart of the Côte de Nuits, the town of Nuits has its own Hospices, world-renowned vineyards and, of course, ancient traditions.The Premier Cru Vaucrains is located in the south part of the Nuits-Saint-Georges vineyard, north-west of the Saint-Georges, with an east exposure.
History & tradition: the name "Nuits" may come from "noyer" (walnut tree), a not very frequent tree in this region. As a matter of fact, the hillsides in Burgundy were covered with oak trees at the time the Romans arrived.
Soil: clay mixed with limestone with little soil and rock showned on the surface producing powerful and long lasting wines.
Viticulture
Plantation density: 10,000 vinestocks/ha in order to extract as much as possible from the terroir and limit the production of each vine stock.Pruning: Guyot.
Yield: 40 hl/ha - purposely low, in order for the grapes to reveal every nuance of the terroir.
Grape Supply: grapes and wines provided by regular supply partners.
Vinification
Maceration: - maceration and vinification take 2 to 3 weeks
- indigenous yeasts
- maceration and fermentation temperatures under total control.
Joseph Drouhin seeks total control of the process of extraction; extraction gives colour and substance but should never be detrimental to the finesse and typical character of the wine.
Ageing
Type: in barrels (20% in new oak)Length: 14 to 18 months
Origin of the wood: French oak forests
Weathering of the wood: Joseph Drouhin insists on total control of the weathering for a period of 3 years, one of the contributing elements to the elegance of the wine
Throughout the ageing process, decisions are taken only after careful tasting evaluation, barrel by barrel. The data obtained is then completed through technical analysis. As with every other Joseph Drouhin wine, absolute priority is given to the true expression of terroir and character of the vintage.
Tasting note by Véronique Boss-Drouhin
"Bright deep-red ruby colour. The nose offers a myriad of aromas such as blackberry, blackcurrant, spices, and later hints of truffle and undergrowth. Fullbodied wine at the very beginning. The mouth reveals a long and powerful aftertaste".Vintage
The 2016 crop was low in quantity but its quality provides a nice surprise.
The mature grapes gave deep ruby-coloured wines displaying notes of black fruit mingled with hints of violet and spices.
The palate is round and generous.
The wines are typical of their terroir.Serving
Temperature: 16°C (61-62°F).Cellaring: 5 to 25 years.