Burgundy

Grand Cru vineyard site resp. appellation in the commune of Morey-Saint-Denis in the Côte d´Or in Burgundy in France. It was first mentioned in the early 12th century, its name at the time was „La Forge“ . In 1141 it was acquired by an order of Benedictine nuns at the „Notre-Dame de Tart“ abbey, and then became known by its present name. After a variable history in the course of which ownership changed several times, the entire vineyard site was acquired as a monopole site in 1932 by Joanny Mommessin, a wine merchant from Mâcon (Beaujolais). It was classified as a Grand Cru site in 1939. The „Domaine du Clos de Tart“ has been run since 1996 by Sylvain Piteot, who has introduced several measures to improve quality. Among other things, yields have been limited, no more chemical fertilisers are being used, and the cement fermentation tanks have been replaced by stainless steel tanks. The vineyard has an easterly-south-easterly aspect, it is located at an altitude of 300 metres above sea level, and has an extent of 7,5 hectares of vines, on decomposed limestone soils. It is enclosed by a wall. To the north lies the Grand Cru site Clos des Lambrays, while the neighbouring site to the south is the Grand Cru site Bonnes-Mares.

Organic practices are implemented in the vineyard. The average age of the vines is more than 50 years old, the oldest vines were planted in 1918. A third of a hectare is planted with young vines every three years. The red wine is extremely long-lived, it usually has an alcohol content of 13%, and is made exclusively from Pinot Noir. In addition, Pinot Liébault and Pinot Beurot are also permitted red varieties, theoretically up to 15% of Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris could also be used. The grapes are largely destemmed, and are left to soak on the skins at low temperature before fermentation in order to obtain better extraction. Each parcel of land in the vineyard is vinified separately. The best wines are selected in a tasting, and only these are included in the Grand Vin. The wine is matured for 18 to 24 months in 100% new oak barrels, the wine is not fined or filtered before bottling. Annual production is around 30.000 bottles. The wines rejected for inclusion in the Clos de Tart are sold under the AC Morey-Saint Denis Premier Cru designation, bearing the name of the vineyard site as „La Forge“.