Domaine de la Vougeraie, based in Premeaux just south of Nuits St Georges, was created in 1999 when Jean-Claude Boisset of the Boisset group decided to group together all the vineyard holdings of his various negociant companies acquired over the years. The name comes from the significant holdings – and indeed Jean-Claude Boisset’s home – in the village of Vougeot. The winery is located however in the old Claudine Deschamps (Madame Jean-Claude Boisset) cellars in Prémeaux. The Domaine was put together from the various vineyard holdings which had accrued through the Boisset acquisitions of Burgundian houses over the years. Pascal Marchand was put in charge in 1999, with Bernard Zito in the vineyards, which were farmed biodynamically. Pascal produced powerful wines, fairly heavily extracted in his early vintages but clearly was subsequently moving to a softer approach by 2004.
With nearly 40 hectares of vineyard and over 30 different appellations, including six grand crus (Musigny, Bonnes Mares, Clos Vougeot, Charmes Chambertin, Mazoyères, Corton Clos du Roi, and Corton Charlemagne), this is one of Burgundy’s leading Domaines. This stony vineyard is at 360 metres altitude and has woodland just above: it’s a favourite feeding ground for wild boar. Half the crop was vinified whole-bunch, primarily fruit from older vines. The 2019 is exceptionally open and expressive, with pronounced spicy aromas and pliant tannins, and a wealth of plummy red fruit on the palate.
This bottle is the standard 750ml. If you are looking for the Magnum 1.5L bottle, you can find it here.
The previous high-density planting didn’t work on the hard limestone where it was located, but they are thinking of trying it in a different sector. This is from the regular planting. Rich dense purple. There is a sturdy aspect to the nose, suggesting baby 1er cru intensity. Little catch in the mouth from the stems (50%) which delivers a firmness here. Fresh pleasing finish and excellent length.
The 2019 Gevrey-Chambertin Les Evocelles 1er Cru, which is blended with 50% whole bunch, has an elegant, floral bouquet featuring rose petals and incense infusing the airy red fruit; hints of marmalade develop with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with soft tannins. This was very sensitive to stemware, showing much better using a Zaalto than the Domaine’s own curved glasses. The finish is slightly savoury and certainly in the Zaalto offered more substance and grip.