Clos de la Roche
Côte de Nuits, Burgundy, France
Clos de la Roche is the most northerly of Morey-Saint-Denis’ Grands Crus and also, to many, the most prized. The original Clos de la Roche climat covered around 4.5ha of land just to the north of the village of Morey. However this area was expanded to 16.9ha in 1936, when the appellation rules were established.
The presence of marl (which delays ripening and promotes acidity in grapes) in the soils of Clos de la Roche is thought to contribute complexity, depth and ageing potential to its wines. The Pinots of Clos de la Roche thus tend to be powerful and structured, with a distinct gamey, truffle-y quality emerging in the best after some years of age. Domaines with important holdings in Clos de la Roche include Dujac, Rousseau and Ponsot.