This year's Decanter World Wine Awards International Trophy for the Best in Show White Blend over £15 went to Domaine de la Vougeraie, Monopole Le Clos Blanc de Vougeot, Vougeot 1er Cru, Burgundy, France 2011 (13.5%)
Tasted against:
- Domaine de Vénus, L’Effrontée, Côtes du Roussillon, France 2011
- Domaine d’Estoublon, IGP Alpilles, Provence, France 2011
Profile:
A French-only final, the two bridesmaids are wonderfully characterful examples from southern France, but taking the spoils is a wine from a historic vineyard in one of the most famous regions in the world. Vigorous, harmonious and forceful, this Trophy-winner was praised by our judges for its exotic fruit complexity, wonderfully integrated oak and incredible ageing potential.
The Domaine de la Vougeraie story begins in 1964 when Jean-Claude Boisset purchased his first vineyard, Les Evocelles, in Gevrey- Chambertin. Over the following decades many other vineyards were added to his portfolio, and in 1999 the decision was made to combine them under one umbrella, Domaine de la Vougeraie, named after the family home.
Today it has holdings of 43 hectares in 35 separate appellations, and its Le Clos Blanc de Vougeot vineyard – which has been farmed biodynamically since 2001 – is planted just next to the château.
The limestone-rich vineyard has only ever been planted with white varieties – this Trophy-winner is a blend of 90% Chardonnay, 5% Pinot Gris and 5% Pinot Blanc – and the first vines were grown 900 years ago by monks from the Cîteaux Abbey. It also managed to survive the French Revolution, remaining a monopole at a time when national property was being divided up and sold off.
Pierre Vincent became Domaine de la Vougeraie’s winemaker nine years ago, and has recently overseen the construction of a herbarium to aid with his biodynamic preparations. Having trained with Domaine Antonin Guyon and Olivier Leflaive, he is clear in the message he wants his wines to deliver: ‘I want them to showcase the typicity of Burgundy, the philosophy of biodynamics, and the purity and finesse of each fantastic terroir.’
See the full information about this wine
Written by Decanter
