Clos du Verseuil

Clos du Verseuil sits on a steep slope in Volnay, positioned between two well-regarded premiers crus, Taillepieds to the north and Bousse d'Or to the south, directly in front of the Domaine de la Pousse d'Or estate. At just 0.68 hectares, it is one of the smallest classified sites in the appellation. Elevation ranges from 220 to 280 meters, and the rows run north to south on a slope with a slightly northern aspect, a relatively uncommon orientation in the Côte de Beaune that contributes to cooler ripening conditions and preserved acidity in the finished wine.

• Elevation: 220 to 280 meters above sea level
• Aspect: north-south rows on a slightly north-facing slope
• Neighbors: Taillepieds (north) and Bousse d'Or (south)
• Situated directly in front of the Pousse d'Or estate

The vineyard's soils follow the classic Volnay profile of limestone and marl, with fine clay pockets distributed across the site. This combination provides good drainage from the limestone and marl while the clay retains enough moisture to sustain the vines through drier periods. The climate is cool continental Burgundy, with cold winters, warm summers, and pronounced diurnal temperature variation. Annual rainfall runs between 30 and 35 inches. The slightly north-facing slope tempers summer heat and extends the growing season, which suits Pinot Noir's need for gradual, even ripening.

• Limestone and marl base soils with fine clay pockets
• Cool continental climate with pronounced day-night temperature swings
• 30 to 35 inches of annual rainfall
• North-facing aspect moderates summer heat accumulation

The Clerget family acquired Clos du Verseuil in 1936, and it has remained a monopole under their ownership ever since. For a period between 2009 and 2014, the grapes were sold to the négociant Henri Boillot rather than bottled under the domaine label. When Thibaud Clerget took over the family domaine in 2015, he brought the fruit back in-house and began producing the wine as an estate-bottled premier cru. Prior to Thibaud's stewardship, the clos remained relatively unknown despite its prime location; the renewed focus on estate production has drawn increasing attention from collectors and critics.

• Acquired by the Clerget family in 1936
• Grapes sold to Henri Boillot from 2009 to 2014
• Thibaud Clerget took over the domaine in 2015 and resumed estate bottling
• Remained little-known until the post-2015 resurgence under Thibaud's direction

Clos du Verseuil produces a medium-bodied red wine that reflects Volnay's reputation for elegance and finesse over power. The slightly north-facing slope and cool site conditions push the wine toward precision and restraint. Expect oyster shell minerality alongside red fruit aromas, violet and floral notes, and silky, fine-grained tannins. The limestone and marl soils reinforce the mineral thread that runs through the wine, while the clay pockets contribute texture and mid-palate weight. This is a wine built on refinement rather than concentration, consistent with the broader Volnay style.