CLOS DE TART 2018 VINTAGE, EN PRIMEUR EXCLUSIVE TO CORNEY & BARROW IN THE UK “Powerful, intense and fleshy, whilst remaining incredibly elegant with soft and silky tannins.” Alessandro Noli, on his 2018 Clos de Tart

Photo credit - S Chapuis OFF TO A FLYING START

The first full vintage under the new ownership is an effortlessly stunning statement of intent...

After joining the domaine in March 2019, winemaker Alessandro Noli immediately inherited the tasks of bottling the 2017 vintage, finishing élevage of the 2018 vintage and overseeing the construction of a new, state-of-the-art cuverie.

The gleaming cuverie (vat room), with its sleek dark walls and polished chrome, has something of the Bond villain’s lair about it. As of the 2019 vintage, its fifteen bespoke oak vats and five stainless steel tanks have brought precision vinification to what was already a highly intricate vineyard approach (there were 27 separate plots at last count). 4 5 Fortunately, Alessandro has the might of Artémis Domaines behind him. Run by Managing Director Frédéric Engerer, this French wine group’s enviable collection includes Château Latour, Domaine d’Eugénie and Château Grillet. Such backing must make Clos de Tart’s ambitious projects in both the vineyard and cellars feel reassuringly achievable, even at this time of global crisis.

Clos de Tart, one of only five grands crus monopoles in Burgundy*, was acquired in 2017 by the wine arm of François Pinault’s Groupe Artémis, which became only the fourth owner since the estate belonged to the nuns of Nôtre-Dame de Tart in the 12th century. 2018 is the domaine’s first certified organic vintage.

It has been incredible to see the upward quality trajectory of Clos de Tart since our first vintage as exclusive UK agent in 2007. We are more excited than ever about the wines coming from this supremely privileged vineyard and are proud to work with the impressive team of Frédéric Engerer and Sales and Marketing Director Jean Garandeau.

The on-the-ground team. From left to right, Vincent Gaujard, Claire Magne, Arthur Blanchot, Jean-Louis Charbonnier, Alessandro Noli Photo credit - B Braastad

GUY SEDDON June 2020

*Alongside Burgundy’s grands crus monopoles of Clos de Tart, Romanée-Conti, La Tâche, La Romanée and La Grande Rue, are France’s two great AOP monopoles, PASCAL,GIUSEPPE CHARLES QUINTARELLI AND FLORENCE LACHAUX Coulée de Serrant in the Loire and the northern Rhône’s Château-Grillet. The latter, also owned by Artémis Domaines, was Alessandro Noli’s previous place of work. HISTORY

Originally called La Forge, the vineyard was acquired in 1141 by the nuns of Nôtre-Dame de Tart.

The perimeter wall was likely built in the 15th century, enabling the vineyard to be called a clos.

Clos de Tart was confiscated from the Church following the 1789 French Revolution, then acquired uncontested at auction by local wine merchant Nicolas-Joseph Marey. At the same auction, the Marey family, later Marey-Monge, bought the entire Romanée-Saint-Vivant vineyard. 6 7 The second change in ownership took place during the depression of the 1930s. The Marey-Monge family sold Clos de Tart at auction to the Mommessin family in 1932, for 400,000 francs. The Mommessins ran a successful négociant house in Mâcon, which was eventually sold to Boisset in the 1990s.

Jules Lavalle’s 1855 Plan Topographique of the Côte d’Or named one Tête de Cuvée vineyard in Morey-Saint-Denis: Clos de Tart. In part thanks to this, Clos de Tart was bestowed with Burgundy’s highest status in the grand cru decree of 1939.

Following its ascension to grand cru status in 1939, the Clos’ wall was extended to include some adjoining vines. In 1965-6, an additional 0.278 hectares was added from Bonnes-Mares: vines which, despite being in Chambolle- Musigny, fell within the walls of the Clos.

Photo credit - S Chapuis THE VINEYARD

Clos de Tart is the only grand cru monopole The map below shows the eight cuvées in Morey-Saint-Denis. of the 2018 Clos de Tart.

Behind the white limestone walls of the domaine, sloping The average vine age is over 60 years, with some vines up and away from the Route des Grands Crus, are the 7.53 being over 100 years old. The domaine has a nursery at hectares of Clos de Tart. the bottom of the village which provides new vines when replanting is necessary. There are 72 clonal lines at the The gently sloping vineyard faces east, making it Clos now (a lot!) something of an anomaly in the village. The vines run north-south, perpendicular to the slope rather than up Planting density is high: 11,000 vines per hectare on and down. As well as giving a unique sun exposure, this average, with the younger vines having been planted protects against erosion. at 12,500. The resulting competition for nutrients encourages the roots to dig deeper. Only the five best Although this is one contiguous vineyard, the soil bunches per vine are retained during green harvesting in composition is sufficiently intricate to vinify eight August. The Clos has practised organic viticulture since separate cuvées, from no fewer than 27 different plots 2015, with 2018 being the first organic certified vintage, (and there will be even more from next year). These ahead of biodynamic certification, which is expected are blended around a month before bottling. The clay- later in 2020. limestone soils come from three distinct geological eras. Production tends to be 23 to 30 hectolitres per hectare The first soil type iscalcaires à entroques, loose limestone- (hl/ha), although the last three vintages have been rich fossilised marine animals. Second is white marl, a relatively plentiful following the smaller 2015. In 2016, 8 9 deep layer of which runs through the mid-slope section. the yield was 35 hl/ha – the domaine’s largest crop since Finally, there is a layer of very hard, compacted Prémeaux 1999. In both 2017 and 2018, it was a similarly respectable limestone. The cuvées change every year, but there is 32 hl/ha. 2018 is the first certified organic vintage at Clos some correlation with these soil types. de Tart.

The domaine buildings and the church seen from the vineyard, looking south towards Bonnes Mares. Photo credit - S Chapuis Photo credit - B Braastad

THE CELLAR THE 2018 GROWING SEASON

Although cellar work will always play second 10 fiddle to the vineyard here, it has been THE YEAR IN NUMBERS 11 overhauled impressively by the new team. Bud-burst 16th April Harvest 30th August – 3rd September ------As mentioned, the domaine has recently finished a Flowering 1st June 32 hl/ha yield complete renovation of the cuverie. The 2019 vintage (next ------year’s release) was the first to be housed in its fifteen Veraison 27th July 65% whole bunches wooden fermentation vats, made by Taransaud and five stainless steel tanks, used for blending and settling.

The grapes receive one week of pre-fermentation Aside from a very cold week in March when temperatures Thanks to plentiful water reserves in the soil, vine growth maceration. Whole bunches are employed, the proportion plunged to -9°C, winter and spring were very mild in 2018. continued and by 27th July, half of the berries had changed varying in accordance with the vintage conditions – in That said, bud-burst occurred on 16th April, about 6-8 from green to black (véraison). Grape ripening concluded 2018, 65% of the crop was vinified as whole bunches. days later than normal. These warm temperatures were in August without hindrance, despite the hot and, indeed, accompanied by significant rainfall: October to March often scorching weather. A week of fermentation, by natural yeasts, is followed by a saw 142mm more rainfall than average, culminating in 15 further week of post-fermentation maceration. Extraction days of non-stop rain between mid-May and mid-June The harvest was early: picking started on a record-breaking is very gentle. Pigeage (punching-down) and remontage (164mm). 30th August and continued non-stop until 3rd September. (pumping-over) are used sparingly to aerate the grape Alessandro Noli spoke of the berries’ “beautiful aromas, must and extract phenolic content. Foot treading was used The warm, wet weather encouraged very quick vegetative thick skins and ripe tannins”. The final yield of 32 hl/ha in 2018 – the gentlest possible method of pigeage. growth and required attentive work in the vineyard. was the same as in 2017, although lower than 2016 (35 hl/ Amazingly under such conditions, powdery mildew ha) and higher than 2015 (22 hl/ha). The individual cuvées are aged separately for 19 months (oidium) was avoided, although downy mildew brought in oak, typically 80% new, with the remaining 20% being significant disease pressure. Nine separate cuvées were vinified, spending an average one year old. The majority of the wine is aged in 228 litre of 18 days in vat. Only four punch-downs were carried French oak pièces, although larger oak vessels have been Flowering was early, quick and even, reaching mid-point out in 2018, all by traditional foot treading. Malolactic introduced in recent years. Blending takes place one on 30th May and finishing onst 1 June. From mid-June fermentation took place quicker than usual, in the two month before bottling, which is still done by hand. onwards, it stopped raining and turned very dry, with months following pressing. Normally this occurs between temperatures remaining high. Only 47mm of rain fell in April and June in the year following the harvest. The wines July and 13mm in August. were bottled in spring 2020. TASTING NOTES

CLOS DE TART, GRAND CRU MONOPOLE

Clos de Tart’s average vine age is now over 60 years old, the most ancient vines being centenarians. Deep ruby colour in the glass, with rose petal and violet perfume on the nose and a hint of soy. The palate is wonderfully supple on the silky entry, with dense raspberry and blueberry fruit and then an exotic spice lift from the 60% whole bunch fermentation. The tannins are substantial yet intricate, lattice-like, building on the palate to exert a firm grip on the finish. The sweetness and amplitude of fruit is set off wonderfully by the crisp acidity. A deeply impressive, powerful Clos de Tart, draped in silken finery. 80% new oak.

Corney & Barrow Score 18+ Recommended drinking from 2026 - 2040+

£2,865/Case of 6 bottles, in bond UK £2,880/Case of 3 magnums, in bond UK £2,120/Case of 1 jeroboam, in bond UK

12 13

LA FORGE DE TART, MOREY-SAINT-DENIS MOREY-SAINT-DENIS PREMIER CRU DE CLOS DE TART

As always, this is made from the three plots planted in A new entrant for 2018 and the first time the domaine has 1999, 2005 and 2011, making its oldest vines nearly 20 made a village-level wine. This is made from a selection years old in 2018. From 2020, Alessandro Noli is going of young vines (four years old on average) across the to vinify the 1999 plot separately, to see if it is ready for Clos – typically where old vines have been replaced. As the grand vin. Sweet red cherry and confit raspberry on such, it provides an excellent cross-section of the Clos’ the nose, with dark peppery spice and a fresh mint lift. personality. Deep ruby colour. Impressively dense, violet The palate is upbeat and red berried, with substantial flavours, with a rich sucrosity of fruit. An opulent style, matter, balanced by delightfully fresh acidity. This is really rather amazing for such young vines. Just 500 litres more red fruited than usual, supple and playful. The new (700 bottles) have been made – future vintages will likely team seems to have brought a lightness of touch, without be reserved for restaurants so snap up this rarity now sacrificing any of its seriousness. while you can!

Corney & Barrow Score 17.5 Corney & Barrow Score 17 Recommended drinking from 2023 - 2030 Recommended drinking from 2022 - 2028

£1,025/Case of 6 bottles, in bond UK £245/Case of 3 bottles, in bond UK ALLOCATION PROCESS

To order, please call 020 7265 2430 (London) or 01875 321 921 (Edinburgh). Please bear in mind that:

• Clos de Tart’s and Corney & Barrow’s focus is on the private customer as a consumer, rather than as a speculator. • The wines of Clos de Tart are bought on the clear understanding that they will be stored and delivered in the UK only. • Should you wish to sell the wines in the future, do please offer Corney & Barrow first refusal. • Priority will be given to Clos de Tart’s and Corney & Barrow’s best, most loyal and most regular customers.

May we please have your order by 18th June. Confirmation of your order will be through receipt of invoice and the 14 wines will be put into your reserves on payment. All orders 15 are conditional upon UK storage only. Do please speak to our sales team, who will be delighted to help you further.

Tasting Guide

Our tasting notes provide full details but, at your request, we have also introduced a clear and simple marking system. We hope these guidelines assist you in your selection.

Wines are scored out of 20. Customers seem to like it and it has the benefit of simplicity. We will often use a range of scores (e.g. 16.5 to 17) to indicate the potential to achieve a higher mark. When a ‘+’ is shown it adds further to that potential. Wines from lesser vintages will, inevitably, show a lower overall score.

Wines are judged, in a very broad sense, against their peers. Why? Well, you cannot easily compare a Ford with an Aston Martin, other than they are both cars and have wheels. It is not that different with wine.

A score is a summary only. The devil is in the detail, so please focus on the tasting notes and, as always, speak to our sales team. CONTACT US

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