Chambolle-Musigny "Les Véroilles" AOC 2023

A slender-framed Pinot Noir with silky tannin and fine austerity, marked on the nose by violet and rose. Depth here comes from precision, not from richness.

Les Véroilles is a lieu-dit in the northern part of the Chambolle-Musigny appellation in the Côte de Nuits. Limestone bedrock and clay-rich topsoil give the Pinot Noir its tension between fruit and minerality. Domaine Bruno Clair in Marsannay-la-Côte farms 27 hectares across eight villages in the Côte d'Or and bottles 32 appellations; the Chambolle-Musigny parcels joined the estate in 1990. Cover crops and forgoing herbicides have long been standard practice in the vineyard. The 2023 vintage in Burgundy was warm and dry.

Pure Pinot Noir. Fermentation begins spontaneously, with 20 to 50 percent whole clusters going into the vat, while extraction stays moderate. This is followed by 18 to 20 months in barrel with 20 to 50 percent new oak. The house leaves clarification to time: the wines rest until bottling without any cosmetic intervention.

Silky texture, vibrant acidity and finely woven tannin carry raspberry and cherry, with a finish that stays mineral and long. 13.0% vol., dry.

Guinea fowl with mushroom jus, herb-crusted saddle of lamb, coq au vin or duck breast with cherry sauce; for cheese, aged Comté or Époisses.

Bruno Clair founded the domaine in 1986 with seven hectares inherited from Clair-Daü. Today the sixth generation works alongside him: Edouard in the vineyard and winemaking, Arthur in cellar aging, Margaux in shipping and logistics. They are increasing the share of whole clusters and reducing sulfur.