Camille Giroud 'Clos des Godelles' 1er Cru Rouge, Morey Saint Denis, Burgundy, France 2019

• Winemaker: Carel Voorhuis
• Farming: Lutte raisonée
• Variety: Pinot Noir
  
• Terroir: Tiny walled vineyard nestled just beneath the hill of the Grand Cru Vineyard Clos de Lambrays
  
• Vinification:  Hand harvested, 40% whole-bunch fermentation on ambient yeasts, 12-25 days in open vats with punch-downs and pump-overs.
  
• Aging:  12-24 months in up to 15-30% new oak.
  
• Tasting Notes / Critics' Scores: 92 Points, Burghound: From the 1er portion of Le Village. There is a smoky nuance to the very spicy and quite floral aromas that combine red and dark currant scents. There is again solid volume and mid-palate density to the rich yet reasonably presice flavors that possess and exotic inner mouth perfume on the rusty and notably firm finale.

From our Q4 Serious Inquiries Only Club:

Maison Camille Giroud Clos des Godelles Morey-Saint-Denis 1er Cru, Burgundy, France 2019

Camille Giroud was founded in 1865 by Camille Giroud himself. Over the years, the winery has changed hands and undergone several transformations, but in 2002, it was acquired by American investors, including Napa power couple Ann Colgin and Joe Wender. This marked a significant turning point in the winery's history, as they aimed to revitalize and elevate the quality of the wines. The winery follows mostly traditional winemaking practices, with an emphasis on minimal intervention and letting the grapes and the unique characteristics of each vineyard shine through. 

The winery operates mainly as a négociant, purchasing most of their grapes (they own less than three acres of vines). Their Premier Cru and Grand Cru reds are serious and age-worthy wines, benefitting from time in the cellar. The grapes are double-sorted on a vibrating table and a sorting table with a mix of de-stemmed and whole cluster fruit. They are crafted to be broad-shouldered and structured;  12-25 days ambient yeast fermentation in open vats with punch-downs and pump-overs create burly Pinot Noirs that demand time to rest and integrate before being enjoyed. Additionally, the wines are aged 12-24 months in up to 15-30% new oak, depending on the vineyard site.

Clos des Godelles is a relatively unknown premier cru vineyard site located in Morey-Saint-Denis. Its name dates back to the Napoleonic era, but to add to Burgundy's already confusing landscape, the vineyard went by the name “Le Village” until only a few years ago, when it reverted back to its current moniker.  It’s a tiny, tiny walled vineyard nestled just beneath the hill of the Grand Cru Vineyard Clos de Lambrays. It’s a postage stamp sized vineyard that essentially no one but Maison Camille Girous produces wine out of, making this bottling quite special. 

Lay this bottle down for up to 10 years, and open it 30 minutes to an hour before enjoying. As the wine ages, the tannins will mellow out, and the ripeness of the sweet black fruits will begin to come out, alongside sweet tobacco and smoky iron notes. Pair it with a finely roasted duck or a tender squab or steak. Maybe take it out during Perigord truffle season, to really make it shine? — Simi Grewal