Clos de Tart AOC

Grand Cru site or appellation in the municipality of Morey-Saint-Denis in the Burgundy region of Côte d'Or. It was already mentioned at the beginning of the 12th century under the then name "La Forge". In 1141 it was acquired by the Saint Bernard abbey "Notre-Dame de Tart" and was given its present name. After an eventful history with several changes of ownership, the vineyard was acquired as a monopoly in 1932 by Joanny Mommessin, a wine merchant from Mâcon (Beaujolais). It was classified as Grand Cru in 1939. Since 1996, the "Domaine du Clos de Tart" has been managed by Sylvain Piteot, who has implemented a number of quality improvement measures. A yield limitation was introduced, chemical fertilizers were abandoned and the cement fermentation tanks were replaced by steel tanks. The vineyard, which faces east-south-east at an altitude of around 300 metres above sea level, covers 7.5 hectares of vineyards on weathered limestone. It is enclosed by a wall. To the north lies the Grand Cru vineyard Clos des Lambrays, to the south the Grand Cru vineyard Bonnes-Mares.

The vineyard is cultivated according to ecological guidelines. The average age of the vines is over 50 years, the oldest vines were planted as early as 1918. Every three years, one third of a hectare is replanted. The extremely long-lasting red wine, which generally has an alcohol content of 13% by volume, is made exclusively from Pinot Noir. Pinot Liébault and Pinot Beurot (Mutationdes Pinot Gris) are also permitted, but theoretically up to 15% Chardonnay and Pinot Blanc could also be used. The mostly destemmed grapes are macerated at low temperature before fermentation for better extraction. The plots are vinified individually. Only the best wines after tasting are added to the Grand Vin. Aging in basically new barrique barrels takes 18 to 24 months, bottling takes place without fining or filtration. About 30,000 bottles of wine are produced annually. The wines not considered worthy of a Clos de Tart are marketed under the AC Morey-Saint Denis Premier Cru with the vineyard designation "La Forge".