Domaine de L'Arlot 'Clos des Forets' 1er Cru, Nuits Saint Georges, Burgundy 2020

Domaine de L'Arlot 2020 "Clos des Forets" Nuits Saint Georges 1er Cru, Burgundy, France

• Farming: Biodynamic
• Name of Winemaker/Chef du Cave:  Géraldine Godot
• Grape Varieties: Pinot Noir
• Soil Type: 7.2 HS monopole of the domaine. Ladoix limestone at the bottom, Premeaux limestone in the middle, and white oolite limestone in the upper part, with a marked presence of ochre silt in some places. This vineyard produces Pinot Noir of power, and benefits from some cellaring before enjoying.
• Vinification/Oak Usage: A manual harvest, minimal vatting, pumping over and punching down without excess to reveal the full aromatic range drawn from this great terroir.
• Aging:  Aging lasts on average 15 months in oak barrels, with approximately 50% new barrels, and 3 months in vats before bottling.
• Tasting Notes: Once again, red fruit is predominant in the aromas of this wine. The presence of vegetal notes, blackcurrant and garrigue herbs contribute to its complexity. The richness of the red fruit on the palate gives way to very well-integrated tannins, providing delicate balance and tautness. -Géraldine Godot, Technical Director (July 2022)
• Scores / Recognition:
  • 94 POINTS, JASPER MORRIS
  • 93 POINTS, BURGHOUND 
  • 92 POINTS, WINE ADVOCATE 

History of the Domaine:

Located just south of Nuits Saint Georges, in the village of Prémeaux-Prissey, is Domaine de l’Arlot, a winery formally established in 1987, but with a history that extends over 100 years back to the late 19th century. The domaine is operated out of a 200 year old building found within the Clos de l’Arlot, a 4 hectare walled vineyard created by Jean-Charles Vienot at the end of the 18th century. His son later expanded the estate, and eventually the domaine came to hold two Premier Cru monopoles: Clos des Forets Saint Georges and Clos de l’Arlot, both located within Nuits Saint Georges. Today, these wines are a benchmark expression for the village of Nuits Saint George, showcasing the hearty complexities of Pinot Noir when grown in the limestone-laden Nuiton soils. Exceptionally, although in the heart of Pinot Noir country in Nuits, Domaine de l’Arlot has also come to be a force for Chardonnay production in the village, producing complex, forward and plush Chardonnays that are unlike any other in the Cote de Nuits. The winery’s biodynamic practices and hands-off approach to vinfication allow their fruit to shine, and each vineyard is vinified with respect to the power and finesse of its fruit.