Domaine Arlaud : Clos Saint-Denis Grand cru 2022

Characteristics and Tasting Notes for the Clos Saint-Denis Grand Cru 2022 from Domaine Arlaud

Tasting

Color

This pinot noir typically shows a ruby to garnet hue, with a medium to fairly deep intensity that reflects the generosity of the Morey-Saint-Denis grand cru terroir.

Nose

The nose generally reveals a bouquet of red and black fruit, such as cherry and blackberry, intertwined with floral notes of violet and rose, along with soft spice touches and, thanks to a measured use of oak, discreet toasted nuances.

Palate

On the palate, the wine shows a medium body with fine, well-integrated tannins and lively acidity that brings freshness and tension. The whole structure builds toward a balanced, persistent finish, consistent with the high scores awarded to this grand cru.

Food and wine pairings

This Clos Saint-Denis Grand Cru 2022 pairs beautifully with roasted or braised feathered game, such as pigeon, partridge, or pheasant, as well as with delicate red meats like beef filet, roasted veal, or rack of lamb. It also works well with refined vegetarian dishes built around mushrooms or root vegetables, and with soft or semi-hard cheeses such as Brie or Saint-Nectaire.

Serving and cellaring

It is recommended to serve the Clos Saint-Denis Grand Cru 2022 slightly chilled, at around 61–64°F (16–18°C), to preserve its aromatic finesse and let the tannins express themselves fully.

Other characteristics

This is a dry red wine, bottled without fining or filtration and in accordance with the lunar calendar, reflecting the estate's commitment to minimal intervention. Sulfur use is kept to a strict minimum throughout the winemaking process, and the wine carries both organic and biodynamic certification.

A Biodynamic Grand Cru from Domaine Arlaud in Morey-Saint-Denis

The Estate

Domaine Arlaud was founded in 1942 in Morey-Saint-Denis, in the heart of Burgundy's Côte de Nuits. The family estate now spans 17 hectares across 19 appellations, including four grand crus. Since 2013, Cyprien Arlaud, representing the third generation, has led the property, steering it toward organic and biodynamic farming, with Biodyvin certification obtained in 2014. Domaine Arlaud is recognized for its horse-plowed vineyards and minimal-intervention winemaking philosophy.

The Vineyard

Clos Saint-Denis is the smallest grand cru climat in Morey-Saint-Denis, its name tracing back to the Saint-Denis de Vergy collegiate church, founded in 1023. The vineyard benefits from limestone-based soils typical of the village's grand crus, and is worked with great care, including plowing by horse, hand pruning, and leaf thinning, in line with the estate's organic and biodynamic principles.

Winemaking and aging

The grapes for the Clos Saint-Denis Grand Cru 2022 are hand-harvested and sorted on three sorting tables, with about one-third of the clusters kept whole. Fermentation takes place in an open wooden vat using indigenous yeasts, with gentle extraction through foot punching and pump-overs, followed by pneumatic pressing. Maceration lasts approximately 20 to 25 days, and the wine is then aged for 15 to 18 months in oak barrels, with no more than 20 % new wood, before being bottled unfined and unfiltered according to the lunar cycle.

Grape Variety

100 % pinot noir.