An Arsenal of Monopole Cuvées... d'Angerville, Lafarge, Bruno Clair, and More!

A monopole is an area controlled by a single domaine and is often either a climat or lieu-dit. Though varying in rarity, these cuvées are often highly sought after as they stand as a benchmark for the respective domaine. Today, we're pleased to share a spread monopoles that are sure to turn some heads!

2021 Henri Magnien Cote de Nuits Village Clos Francois Thurot Monopole
VN 88-90, JM 88-90, BH 87-89, WA 88, CT 88
Note: .50 ha monopole that is planted in a north to south orientation
"The 2021 Côte de Nuits-Villages Queue de Hareng Clos François Monopole (a bit of a mouthful) is named after a sub lieu-dit, a monopoly of 0.50-heaters of 45-year-old vines. It is aged in 25% new oak. This has an intriguing bouquet, the red fruit infused with subtle gravely scents. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins. This is very well balanced with tart red cherries and hints of cassis, moderate depth with a tangy finish. Delightful."
-Neal Martin

2022 Domaine Guiberteau Saumur Les Arboises Monopole (April ETA)
Note: 1-ha monopole on the hill of Brézé, south-facing, rocky, sandy-silt soil over a chalky limestone bedrock.

2022 Domaine Henri Germain Meursault Clos des Mouches Rouge
WA 90-91, JM 89-92, CT 92
Note: .5ha parcel planted in 1949
"Aromas of cherries, cassis, orange zest and rose petals introduce the 2022 Meursault Clos des Mouches Rouge, a medium to full-bodied, fleshy and charming wine that's floral and sapid. This vintage is especially elegant."
-William Kelley

2022 Chateau de la Maltroye Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Clos du Chateau de la Maltroye Monopole
BH 93 (Outstanding), CT 93
Note: a monopole that is situated within Maltroie
"Aromas of freshly sliced pear, apple, rosemary oil and a whiff of petrol are set off by an admirably subtle touch of oak. There is once again excellent vibrancy to the dense but well-detailed medium weight flavors that exude a subtle bead of minerality on the compact, complex, lengthy and impeccably well-balanced finale. Excellent and clearly built-to-age."
-Allen Meadows

2021 Domaine Bruno Clair Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Fonteny
JM 91-94, BH 91-93 (Outstanding), VN 90-92, WA 88-90, CT 91.5
Note: from a .675 ha parcel; this is a monopole
"Once again, the nose is cool, pure and airy with its aromas of mostly essence of various red berries along with background nuances of earth and pretty floral nuances. There is a beguiling sense of refinement to the borderline delicate flavors that flash good minerality on the moderately austere finale. Blind, this could easily pass for a Chambolle 1er. Lovely."
-Allen Meadows

2023 Henri Gouges Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru Clos des Porrets Saint-Georges HD - $180
BH 92 (Outstanding)
Note: from either very old vines of around 120 years of age or shot berries as the "HD" designation stands for Hors d'Age, or exceptionally old; 30% whole cluster vinification and only one barrel made
"Notably ripe aromas include those of poached plum, cassis, crushed anise and a hint of smoked game character. The supple, delicious and caressing medium-bodied flavors definitely possess better mid-palate density while delivering excellent length on the firm, serious and balanced finale. This is lovely and a wine that could be approached after only 5 to 7 years but easily reward a decade plus of keeping." -Allen Meadows 

2011 Domaine Michel Lafarge Volnay 1er Cru Clos du Chateau des Ducs
BH 91-94 (Outstanding), VN 91+, CT 90.7
Note: .57ha monopole and clos located in front of the domaine. Planted in 1946, 1985, and 2000 in brown clay/limestone
"A riper and more deeply pitched nose features terrific complexity with its moderately earthy aromas of red currant, dark cherry, plum and cassis hints. There is excellent vibrancy and outstanding detail to the generously textured, stony and complex middle weight flavors that finish in a mouth coating, persistent and delicately balanced finale. This is really quite good and worth a look." -Allen Meadows

2020 Domaine Marquis d'Angerville Volnay 1er Cru Clos des Ducs (April ETA)
VN 95-97, BH 94-97 (Outstanding), WA 95+, JM 93-95 (5 Stars), CT 93
Note: a monopole that measures 2.15 ha
An exuberantly floral nose combines notes of rose petal, violet, lavender, earth, clove and black cherry liqueur. The almost painfully intense, sappy and muscular big-bodied mouth coating flavors brim with minerality on the explosively long and balanced finish that is less youthfully austere than usual. Even so, the supporting tannins are prominent and leave no doubt that this is going to mature gracefully if slowly. This stunningly good Clos des Ducs is a clear candidate for the best Côte de Beaune red in the 2020 vintage. -Allen Meadows

2022 Domaine Marquis d'Angerville Volnay 1er Cru Clos des Ducs Monopole (April ETA)
JM 94-97 (5 Stars), BH 93-96 (Outstanding), WA 93-95, CT 95
"The grand vin of the domaine is not the deepest in colour. A wonderful perfume, the most delicate of roses yet with a force of its own, while the little red fruits are very subtle too. This is a wonderful gracious and graceful wine, giving me sheer pleasure even in its infancy. It is constructed in so much detail, little pinpricks of red fruited pleasure throughout, with the precision of long-term biodynamics allied to this vintage of entirely healthy fruit." -Jasper Morris

2022 Nicole Lamarche La Grande Rue Grand Cru
JM 93-96, BH 92-95, CT 92.7
Note: 1.65-ha Grand Cru monopole sandwiched between La Tache, DRC, and La Romanée
"Bright mid purple. The bouquet intrigues with the little touch of orange zest which always seems to be mixed in with the red fruit here. Lifted floral notes, roses and the lighter side of peonies. Sensual and sweetly ripe on the palate, the fruit more loaded towards the mid palate, and a drier tannin or two to finish. Very much a baby."
-Jasper Morris

2022 Nicole Lamarche La Grande Rue Grand Cru Cuvee 1959
JM 95-97, BH 93-96, CT 94
Note: two barrels were produced from vines in the climat of Les Gaudichots planted in 1933 and aged in CAVIN Aphrodite barrels that are made from 300-year-old oak trees sourced from the Fontainebleau Forest
"This is aromatically similar to the regular cuvée save for having slightly more prominent wood influence. While there is a similar level of volume and texture, there is slightly more underlying tension suffusing the more concentrated flavors that flash good power on the impressively long finish. This is also quite stylish and certainly built-to-age. Excellent."
-Allen Meadows

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-The Bottle List