1996 Clos de Tart

Domaine Clos de Tart is one of Burgundy’s unicorns. It is a monopole, meaning that the domaine owns the entire 18.6-acre Grand Cru Clos de Tart vineyard. It is one of only six grand cru monopoles in Burgundy. The estate was founded in 1141 by the Tart Abbey Bernardine nuns, a Cistercian order, and after the French Revolution it was acquired in 1791 by the Marey-Monge family. In 1932 the Mommessin family of Maconnais – long-time negociants -- purchased the estate. Though the domaine’s wines suffered a drop in prestige during the mid-20th century, in recent decades it has once again become known for its high quality. Legendary winemaker Sylvain Pitiot, who ran the estate for 20 years until his retirement in late 2014, is credited with much of the estate’s revival. Jacques Devauges is current winemaker. Burgundy authority Clive Coates has called Clos de Tart “today Clos de Tart has few peers, even among the great wines of Vosne and Gevrey….This is a first class estate producing one of the very best of Burgundy’s Grand Cru wines.” The estate also produces a Premier Cru.

Clos de Tart is a Grand Cru vineyard in the Morey St.-Denis appellation of Burgundy. During the Middle Ages it was owned by Cistercian monks, but it was sold at auction after the French Revolution. In 1932 the 18.6 acre vineyard was bought by the negociant Mommessin, which today owns the entirety of the vineyard and runs it as a monopoly. Vineyards are planted to north to south, which is unusual, which is partly to help guard against erosion. The soil is stony with some clay.

This red wine is relatively light and can pair with a wide variety of foods. The grape prefers cooler climates and the wine is most often associated with Burgundy, Champagne and the U.S. west coast. Regional differences make it nearly as fickle as it is flexible.

Dom de la Famille Mommessin.