Domaine Jacques Prieur : Beaune 1er cru "Clos de la Féguine" Monopole 2010

Established in 1865 in the Meursault appellation of Burgundy, Domaine Jacques Prieur extends over several different parcels in the most prestigious appellations of the Cote d'Or, including Clos Vougeot, Corton Charlemagne, Chambertin, Musigny and Montrachet. In total, the estate boasts 9 Grands Cru and 14 Premiers Cru vineyards scattered across the Cote de Nuits to the North and Cote de Beaune further South. Founded by Jacques Prieur, the domaine is today managed by the Prieur and Labruyere families, the latter of whom acquired the estate in 1988. The combined efforts of Jean-Pierre Labruyere, Edouard Labruyere and Martin Prieur, Domaine Jacques Prieur have led to the successful elaboration of wines that offer genuine expressions of the Burgundy style. The extremely strict requirements of the team ensures that the wines have strong personalities and are typical of their terroir, echoing the great mosaic of soil types and microclimates to be found in the Cote d'Or. The Premier Cru Clos de la Feguine 2010 from Domaine Jacques Prieur is composed of 100% Chardonnay from a 1/2-acre plot perched on a very steep, southern-facing hillside in the Beaune appellation. The vines are planted in a light brown silty soil of gravelly clay and limestone with fantastic drainage. The ripe fruit is harvested by hand, strictly sorted and destemmed. The must is allowed to sit on the skins for a period of 24 hours before fermentation begins. This Beaune Clos de la Feguine is aged for 17 months in oak barrels in the cellars of Jacques Prieur.

The Premier Cru Clos de la Feguine 2010 from Domaine Jacques Prieur displays a nice full red colour in the glass. On the nose, tangy aromas of raspberry, cherry, redcurrants and liquorice reveal themselves. An intense wine with a "crunchy" texture in the mouth, raspberry and pomegranate seed flavours come through on the palate, along with a touch of sappy oak. Thus red Burgundy is quite energetic and precise, with ripe tannins and a wonderfully well-rounded texture on the finish.