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 de l'Arlot Nuits-Saint-Georges '1er Cru Mont des Oiseaux' 2023

Pinot Noir from Nuits-Saint-Georges, Côte-de-Nuits

Domaine de l’Arlot Nuits-Saint-Georges ‘1er Cru Mont des Oiseaux’ 2023

“The 2023 Nuits Saint-Georges Mont des Oiseaux ler Cru, matured in 35% new oak, has an elegant, quite mineral-driven bouquet that is vivacious and charming (like the 2022). The palate is silky smooth on the entry, very well balanced and unerringly pure, with a light yet energetic finish that has just the right amount of piquancy. This is an underrated cuvée from the Domaine that should not be overlooked.”Neal Martin, Vinous 91-93 Points

Vintage 2023
$310
$300ea in any 3+
$290ea in any 6+
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Wendouree Malbec 2017

Malbec from Clare Valley, South Australia

Wendouree Malbec 2017

AP Birks Wendouree Cellars produce some of the very few wines I’ll buy without tasting! The wines are something special. A celebration of an incredible old vineyard with plantings from the late 1800s. Tony & Lita are custodians of something truly special!Central vineyard planted in 1898.The Malbec is the best I've ever had from Australia. Malbec is a fickle variety that is a case of feast or famine. When flowering is poor so little fruit is realised that you can barely make a wine

Vintage 2017
$230
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Roagna Barbaresco Gallina 2016

Nebbiolo from Barbaresco, Piedmont

Roagna Barbaresco Gallina 2016

The flowers, roses, are showing, the red fruits shining, exceptional harmony, the wine has freshened beautifully in the glass over the course of 15 hours. The earthy and savoury notes fallen into the background. Wonderfully fine, long, slatey tanin, so even, the hallmark of extend maceration grace your tongue making for an entrancing dance with devine acid. Tranparent, and, elegant, the fruit weight here is deceptive, much more depth and length than might initially be percieved. Graceful Gallina

Vintage 2016
$350
$340ea in any 3+
$330ea in any 6+
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Egly-Ouriet Grand Cru V.P. Base 2015 NV
84 Months on Lees

Blend from Ambonnay, Montagne de Reims

Egly-Ouriet Grand Cru V.P. Base 2015 NV

V.P. = Viellissement Prolongé = Prolonged ageing on lees! The V.P. stands for Vieillissement Prolongé (prolonged ageing), as the wine spends so long on lees, in this case 84 months. A blend of 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay, the fruit comes from Ambonnay, Bouzy and Verzenay--all great Grand Cru terroirs. Vinification and élevage is in oak casks, with the dosage being a tiny 2g/l, so seriously Extra Brut.The power of the fruit, plus the extended lees ageing grants such harmony, so much

Vintage 2013
$450
$435ea in any 3+
$420ea in any 6+
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