At a glance

Producer

Domaine Denis Mortet

Region

Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru, Côte de Nuits, Burgundy, France

Grape variety

Pinot Noir

Wine type

Red

Body

Full-bodied and Bold

Sweetness

Dry

Typical price

$700-$1100 (per 750ml bottle, as of 2024)

Tasting profile

Perfumed bouquet of black cherry, wild strawberry, sous-bois, truffle, violets, and subtle spice. Silky, rich palate with layers of dark fruit, forest floor, mineral, and earthy complexity. Long, harmonious finish with resolved tannins.

Evolution: Has developed tertiary savory and earthy notes atop persistent fruit. Color shows slight brick at rim; bouquet more complex than at release.

At peak: At peak: poised, layers of red and black fruit, pronounced minerality, truffle, and forest floor depth. Ethereal texture and perfume will continue developing through early 2030s if cellared perfectly.

Structure

Acidity

Medium-high, lending freshness

Tannins

Firm, refined, fully resolved yet still present

Alcohol

Around 13.0% ABV (typical for vintage and producer)

Aging potential

Very high; top Burgundy Grand Cru from great producer in a classic vintage, 20-30+ years from vintage

Drinking window

Peak drinking

2022 to 2044

Optimal window

2018 to 2047

Current status

Mature, at peak with potential to hold

Current condition

Fully mature with tertiary complexity; will hold well for a decade or more given provenance

Classic Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru from a legendary, fastidious producer in a structured, high-quality vintage. Built for long-term aging, with a core of fruit, acidity, and robust but refined tannins. Now entering peak drinking but with plenty of life left. Domaine Denis Mortet's bottlings are renowned for longevity in top vintages.

Food pairing

Roast duck with cherry reduction, rack of lamb with herbs, earthy mushroom dishes, aged Comté or Époisses cheese. Seek refined, savory dishes that highlight Burgundy's complexity.

Serving

Serving temperature

16-18°C / 61-64°F

Decant

Yes (1-2 hours) — To help clarify the wine and open up complex aromatics; sediment possible at this age

Sustainability

Sustainability score: 7/10

Vineyards farmed using lutte raisonnée (“reasoned struggle”): limited, minimal chemical input, grass/cover crops, hand-harvesting, low-intervention winemaking. Recent generations increased focus on environmental impact, including cover cropping, reduced chemicals, and organic principles.

Domaine Denis Mortet farms Clos de Vougeot under lutte raisonnée—a sustainable (if uncertified) approach with a commitment to environmental health. While not officially organic or biodynamic, the domaine minimizes chemical use, promotes biodiversity, and pursues traditional, small-scale practices. Wine is exported (carbon costs), but small-batch, hand production and local materials support artisanal sustainability. Overall, this places Denis Mortet’s Clos de Vougeot ahead of many peers for sustainability but behind fully certified organic/biodynamic estates.