Clos de la Mousse

Clos de la Mousse carries one of the longest documented histories in the Côte de Beaune. Its oldest traceable record dates to 1220, when the vineyard was gifted to the Church of Notre Dame de Beaune. Over centuries of ecclesiastical and private ownership, the site was ultimately consolidated by Bouchard Père & Fils in 1872, and the négociant house has held it as a monopole ever since. The vineyard remains enclosed by its original stone wall, a physical reminder of its medieval origins and the classic clos tradition of Burgundy.

• Documented vineyard history stretching back to 1220
• Originally gifted to the Church of Notre Dame de Beaune
• Consolidated by Bouchard Père & Fils in 1872
• Historic stone wall intact, defining the clos boundary

Situated within the Beaune Premier Cru appellation on the Côte de Beaune, Clos de la Mousse occupies 3.36 hectares with an east-southeast aspect. The orientation provides morning sun exposure while keeping temperatures relatively cool through the day. Soils are deep clay with significant limestone and marl content, a combination that promotes good water retention and mineral complexity. The cool site character slows ripening, generally contributing to the finesse and aromatic precision associated with wines from this climat.

• East-southeast facing aspect for morning sun exposure
• Deep clay soils with limestone and marl substructure
• Cool site microclimate promotes slow, even ripening
• Located within Beaune Premier Cru on the Côte de Beaune

Clos de la Mousse produces exclusively Pinot Noir, yielding wines that are medium-bodied with silky tannins and a notably elegant profile. The deep clay and cool conditions lend the wines a refined texture and restrained power rather than sheer fruit concentration. Expect red fruit character with earthy, mineral undertones that reflect the limestone and marl beneath the clay. Bouchard Père & Fils, as sole producer, brings consistent winemaking continuity across every vintage, making this one of the more reliable benchmark expressions of Beaune Premier Cru.

• Exclusively Pinot Noir, no other varieties planted
• Medium-bodied with silky, well-integrated tannins
• Red fruit and mineral character from limestone and marl
• Bouchard Père & Fils is the sole producer

Monopoles are relatively rare in Burgundy and carry particular significance in the classification system. Because Clos de la Mousse belongs entirely to one producer, every bottle carries the same provenance and reflects a single winemaking vision. This stands in contrast to most Burgundy Premiers Crus, which are often divided among multiple growers and négociants. The clos status, defined by the enclosing stone wall, reinforces the site's identity as a self-contained terroir unit. For students of Burgundy, Clos de la Mousse serves as a textbook example of how ownership structure intersects with terroir and classification.