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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Feeling Thirsty?

The 2016 Barbaresco Riserva Rio Sordo is a serious, somber wine. Black cherry, plum, lavender, spice and menthol show off the darker side of Nebbiolo to great effect. In most vintages, Rio Sordo is an easygoing wine, but not in 2016. Readers will find a potent, brooding yet mid-weight Barbaresco that screams with character. What a way to start this tasting!Galloni
$214
$204ea in any 3+
$194ea in any 6+

Joh Jos Prüm Graacher Himmelreich Kabinett Riesling 2023

Riesling | Mosel-Saar-Ruwer, Germany

Always a favourite! In England they offer tea in the afternoon in the Mosel they offer Kabinett! “The 2023 Riesling Graacher Himmelreich Kabinett initially presents a reductive funk that takes time to dissipate, allowing only brief glimpses of green apple to peep through. However, the palate is superbly sprightly, vividly light and lemony fresh, skipping along light-heartedly without a care in the world. It airily and charmingly spreads its lemony perfume and charm. A quintessential, elfin Kab
$140
$135ea in any 3+
$130ea in any 6+

Gorelli Brunello di Montalcino 2019

Sangiovese | Tuscany, Italy

Gorelli's 2018 put them on them firmly on our radar! If that's what they can do in 2018 imagine how the 2019 will drink! Brunello di Montalcino comes in a vast array of guises from the super bold structured ones with oak (not my cuppa), the dark rich yet mid-weight with a line of substantial yet refined tannins, & the perfumed, poised, delicate Brunellos with plush fine tannins. At this, Burgundian end, we see Poggio di Sotto and Soldera. Today we add one more to that list Gorelli. It's not
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$270ea in any 3+
$255ea in any 6+
ust bottled, the 2022 Barbaresco Montefico Vigna Bric Mentina melds together the energy and freshness typical of this site with an extra kick of fruit from the warm, dry year. Bright acids and persistent tannins call for cellaring.Antonio Galloni, Vinous 93 Points
$138
$133ea in any 3+
$128ea in any 6+