Clos Salomon

The monopole vineyard Le Clos Salomon produces a red Givry premier cru, made without concession to commercial logic by Ludovic du Gardin. One of Burgundy’s most original, unspoilt Pinot Noirs is brimming with fruit energy and superior texture and boasts that hallucinating freshness that stays with top Pinot Noir even when fully mature. Within the vineyard walls – records of Le Clos Salomon date back to 1375; it has been in Ludovic’s family since 1632 – lie seven hectares, facing east and south, of variable, often steep, slope. Harvesting splits out vineyard blocks according to altitude, ripeness and vine age. Blending occurs at the end of 12 month’s élevage, using 25-30% new oak. The wine then rests in the tank for four months before bottling, generally without fining or filtering. In the past, high natural acidity added to the inevitably low yields (low because of the age of the vines) tended to produce fiercely concentrated juice, calling for judicious extraction and élevage, but intensive work carried out by Ludovic over the last decade has released the extraordinary potential of this historic vineyard, on of the finest in Southern Burgundy. A delicious, easy-to-drink white Montagny and white Givry complete the domaine’s repertoire.