# Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru "Le Clos des Varoilles" Monopole (2020)

- **Producer:** Domaine Prieuré Roch
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Pinot Noir
- **Region:** Burgundy, France
- **Style:** Natural
- **Alcohol:** 13.0%
- **Average price:** €600
- **Vegan:** Yes
- **Contains sulphites:** No
- **When to drink:** Later
- **Serving temperature:** 14–16 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** cherry, plum, blackberry, violet, rose, black pepper, liquorice, smoke, cedar, cloves, game, leather, mushroom, forest floor, wet leaves, tobacco

## About this wine

Domaine Prieuré Roch was established in 1988 by the late Henry-Frédéric Roch, a visionary who was also the co-director of the legendary Domaine de la Romanée-Conti. The estate is highly revered for its commitment to ancient, natural Burgundian winemaking methods. In 2020, the domaine secured a long-term lease (en fermage) for the historic Clos des Varoilles, a 6-hectare premier cru monopole in Gevrey-Chambertin with history dating back to 1272. This historic acquisition represents the third legendary monopole in the Prieuré Roch stable, alongside Clos des Corvées and Clos Goillotte. Sourced from the coolest southern parcel of this protected valley site near the Combe Lavaux, this inaugural 2020 vintage marks a monumental milestone for collectors of natural Burgundy.

## Interesting facts

- The 2020 vintage is the historic inaugural release of this legendary Gevrey-Chambertin Monopole by Domaine Prieuré Roch.
- Clos des Varoilles is the 5th largest Premier Cru Monopole in the entire Côte d'Or, with history dating back to 1272.
- The wine is made with 100% whole-bunch grapes and fermented using traditional foot-treading with zero added sulfites.

## Food pairing

This structured and intensely aromatic Pinot Noir pairs beautifully with rich, gamey meats and earthy flavors. The wine's high acidity cuts through the fat of duck and lamb, while its complex whole-bunch savory character mirrors the earthiness of wild mushrooms and truffles. The silky but firm tannins provide the necessary structure to stand up to slow-cooked beef dishes without overpowering them.

## Wine making process

The winemaking at Domaine Prieuré Roch follows a strict non-interventionist philosophy. Grapes are harvested entirely by hand, with the 2020 harvest starting exceptionally early on August 26 to preserve freshness. Vinification is carried out using 100% whole-bunch fermentation (grappes entières) in traditional open-top wooden vats. Fermentation relies solely on indigenous wild yeasts, and extraction is performed gently using traditional foot-treading (pigeage au pied). No sulfur dioxide is added at any stage of vinification or bottling. The wine is aged in 228-liter French oak barrels (pièces) for 15 to 20 months and is bottled without fining or filtration to preserve its natural purity.