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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Zárate Albariño ‘El Palomar’ 2021

Albariño | Val do Salnés, Galicia

170 year old pre-phylloxera vines.Skin contact and oxidative handling are beautifully balanced. Savoury and earthy with that Albariño fresh green herb hit. Fascinating to watch it freshen in the glass, bruised apple falls away & the fruit shines. A fine phenolic grip & spice from the skin contact add intrigue.Opens beautifully on both nose and palate over several hours, intensity builds & it flows gracefully. Keeps getting fresher, and fresher. A clear sign of quality f
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Yeringberg Pinot Noir 2019

Pinot Noir | Yarra Valley, Australia

"The 2019 Pinot Noir combines the kind of ripeness and generosity, delicacy and finesse that characterise great Pinot Noir. Initially reserved, the nose offers notes of sun-kissed strawberry, blood plum and rose petal, together with exotic hints of musk and nutmeg. The palate has a supple richness, with a depth of flavour built on both the character of the vintage and the age of the vines. Juicy strawberry fruit, plum and rhubarb flavours are underpinned by an almost luxuriant structure that’s
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 The 2023 Chassagne-Montrachet Les Chenevottes 1er Cru has impressive purity on the nose, with very well-defined scents of lemon, orange pith and apple blossom. The palate has a powerful, weighty opening. This has a lot of concentration, with tropical notes coming through toward the finish, though the previous vintage had a little more tension. Give this a couple of years in bottle to be tamed.Neal Martin, Vinous 89-91 PointsThe 2022 Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Chenev
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