Monopole


A Fench term referring to a single vineyard or Climat with just one owner.

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A Fench term referring to a single vineyard or Climat with just one owner.

Most commonly used in Burgundy where vineyard holdings have been divided through hereditary title. Upon the death of the owner the land is split equally between all children. It is common for a single vineyard to have multiple owners. The Grand Cru, Chambertin, in the village of Gevrey-Chambertin had 23 owners with 40 producers last time I looked. Each owner may have as little as a few rows of vines yielding just enough fruit to make a single barrel of wine.

Famous Monopoles include La Romanée-Conti, La Tâche (both owned by Domaine de la Romanée Conti) and La Grand Rue (Francois LaMarche) in Vosne-Romanée, Clos de Tart (owned by Francois Pinot of Latour since 2017) in Morey-Saint-Denis, and, Clos des Ruchottes (Armand Rousseau) in Gevrey-Chambertin.

Outside Burgundy think  Clos de la Coulée de Serrant, Château-Grillet and Trimbach’s Clos Sainte Hune.

Some clearly denote Monopole on the label others do not.

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Named after the aristocrat who was once the landlord of this parcel, La Pièce au Comte was the Tremblays’ first vineyard holding in Chablis. Covering a single hectare, it lies in the heart of Fourchaume, and until 2014, its oldest vines were 80 years old (having been planted in 1934). These vines have since been replanted with mass-selection cuttings, although the remainder still date from the 1950s. Romain Bessin explains that the vines here suffer from court-noué, which causes a decline
$186
$179ea in any 3+
$172ea in any 6+

Giuseppe Cortese Langhe Nebbiolo 2021

Nebbiolo | Piedmont, Barbaresco

A Langhe Nebb made from young vine Rabajà .. Yes it's true! Always a fun wine. Elegant and juicy fruited, with solid core of fruit wrapped in chewy tannins. It’s a playful Langhe. Typically perfumed with a savoury twang, a little orange. Loads of fun to be had here. Always better after an extra year in bottle & a good decant. Will reward 2-5 years patience.The 2021 Langhe Nebbiolo emerges from young vines in Trifolera. It's a gorgeous entry-level wine with tons of Nebbiolo charact
$64
$61ea in any 3+
$58ea in any 6+
The 2023 Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Kabinett opens with substantial depth and a brilliant bouquet of wet slate. The fruit is intense but not dominating, thanks to the flintiness and savoriness of the Himmelreich terroir. On the palate, this is a mouth-filling, dense and complex Kabinett with ripe, elegant and juicy fruit intertwined with very fine phenols and an ethereal slate thread that gives this Kabinett an enormous length and animation. This will be a superb gastronomic wine after a deca
$114
$110ea in any 3+
$106ea in any 6+

David Duband Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru ‘Les Proces’ 2020

Pinot Noir | Nuits-Saint-Georges, France

This beautifully sited vineyard sits directly above Nuits St Georges adjoining 1er cru Les Pruliers. Average age of vines more than 35+yo and this is one the “sweet-spot” wines of his portfolio always showing excellent expression and balance with notable floral lift to the aromas giving a very attractive and accessible wine with notable elegance yet remarkable depth.
$282
$272ea in any 3+
$262ea in any 6+