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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Domaine Alex Moreau Chassagne-Montrachet Blanc 2022
Where the Bourgogne is immediately approachable the village Chassagne Blanc needs a little more time. 1/3 from Les Masures next to Morgeot 2/3 Puligny side of Chassagne. Again this shows a wonderful progression through the quality standards in Burgundy. Jumping a rung in the ladder, the energy and precision is showing here. Whilst a full percentage lower in alcohol than the Bourgogne, it has greater depth and length. Current tightly wound, beautiful linear acid is supported nicely by a little te
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Domaine Tollot-Beaut Savigny-Lès-Beuanes 1er Cru 'Champs-Chevrey' Monopole 2018
Fascinating comparison with the Pavelot Dominode 18. There’s a similarity with the fleshy generous fruit and shape to the fruit. The Tollot Beaut goes for a slightly softer mouthfeel with very silky tannins. Like many 2018’s rich mouth filling fruit is at play, a darkness underlying. I’m going to be fascinated to see the Leroux, Pavelot & Tollot-Beaut Savignys evolve over time. As this opens in the glass the air induces refinement and elegance. Delicious wine that in a blind tasting I'
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David Duband Morey-Saint-Denis 1er Cru 'Clos Sorbé' 2018
‘A fresh, cool and more elegant array is comprised by notes of both red and dark pinot fruit along with background floral and earth suggestions. The succulent, round and delicious middle weight flavors are finer if less powerful, all wrapped in a lingering finish that progressively tightens up as it sits on the palate to the point that it becomes quite compact. This will definitely need a few years to unwind. Drink 2028+.’ Burghound.com January 2020.
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Ar.Pe.Pe Valtellina Superiore Riserva Grumello Buon Consiglio 2018
The 2018 Valtellina Superiore Grumello Riserva Buon Consiglio is gorgeous. Crushed red berry fruit, cedar, sweet pipe tobacco and pomegranate are all very nicely lifted. Soft contours and mid-weight structure give the 2018 tons of sensuality and overall appeal. Its balance is spot on. Antonio Galloni, Vinous 93 Points
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