Le Clos Blanc (La Vigne Blanche)

Le Clos Blanc traces its origins to 1110, when monks of the Cistercian Cîteaux Abbey selected this parcel specifically for white grape cultivation. In a region dominated by Pinot Noir and red wine production, the monks recognized something distinctive in these soils and deliberately set them apart. They originally referred to the site as 'Le Petit Clos Blanc,' a name that acknowledged both its modest scale and its singular identity. The Cistercians were meticulous viticulturalists, and their decision to reserve this plot for white varieties reflects a sophisticated understanding of terroir that predates modern appellation law by centuries.

• First cultivated for white grapes in 1110 by Cistercian monks
• Originally named 'Le Petit Clos Blanc' by the monks of Cîteaux
• One of the oldest continuously planted white wine sites in the Côte de Nuits
• Also known as La Vigne Blanche and Clos Blanc de Vougeot

Le Clos Blanc sits within the Vougeot commune of the Côte de Nuits, classified as a Premier Cru climat under the Vougeot appellation. The vineyard covers 2.3 hectares with a southeasterly aspect, ensuring consistent morning sun exposure that aids ripening while preserving freshness. The soils are composed of limestone scree with chalky, gravelly characteristics and excellent free drainage, conditions that push vine roots deep and contribute to the site's mineral character. Surrounded on all sides by red wine vineyards, the plot has earned the poetic description 'a diamond among rubies,' a phrase that captures its geological and stylistic singularity within the landscape.

• Southeasterly aspect for morning sun and heat accumulation
• Soils: limestone scree, chalky and gravelly with free drainage
• Located within the Vougeot Premier Cru appellation, Côte de Nuits
• Surrounded entirely by red wine vineyards, described as 'a diamond among rubies'

Le Clos Blanc is planted with three white varieties: Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, and Pinot Blanc. This combination is unusual in Burgundy, where Chardonnay dominates white wine production almost exclusively. The presence of Pinot Gris and Pinot Blanc reflects the site's deep historical roots, as these varieties were more commonly cultivated in Burgundy during earlier centuries. Together, they contribute to the aromatic complexity and textural richness that distinguish wines from this climat from standard Côte de Nuits Chardonnay.

• Chardonnay forms the primary variety
• Pinot Gris and Pinot Blanc add aromatic complexity and historical character
• The multi-variety planting is a rare survivor of older Burgundian tradition

Wines from Le Clos Blanc deliver a style that is both mineral and generous. The limestone-driven soils lend a firm, chalky backbone, while the southeasterly aspect and the blend of varieties produce stonefruit flavors, notably peach and apricot, alongside fresh acidity. The wines are described as complex and aromatic, with a richness that sets them apart from leaner Côte de Beaune whites. Domaine de la Vougeraie, the most prominent producer working this climat, bottles the wine under the name Clos Blanc de Vougeot Premier Cru, and it stands as one of the benchmark expressions of white Côte de Nuits wine.

• Flavor profile: stonefruit, mineral, fresh acidity, aromatic richness
• Limestone soils deliver a characteristic chalky mineral backbone
• Domaine de la Vougeraie is the leading producer and benchmark reference