Auxey Duresses Le Graal 2020 Clos du Moulin aux Moines | Burgundy

Auxey-Duresses Le Graal du Clos du Moulin aux Moines is one of the wine estate's most exclusive cuvées, from the historic heart of Burgundy's Côte de Beaune vineyards. At the confluence of Meursault, Pommard and Auxey-Duresses, Clos du Moulin aux Moines is a rare monopole, founded by Cistercian monks in 962. The Le Graal cuvée comes from old Pinot Noir vines planted between 1952 and 1954, whose roots run deep in deep sandy and silty clay-limestone soils, worked with absolute respect for the living, exclusively by hand and horse. From cultivation to harvest, each stage reflects an artisanal approach faithful to the history of the place: the entire winemaking process in Burgundy barrels is carried out without mechanical assistance or oenological inputs, relying instead on gravity and human energy. After prolonged maceration, pressing in a traditional screw press and patient ageing for 21 months, the 2020 vintage was revealed in an exclusive production of just 864 bottles.

Philippe Mischler, sommelier at Mundovin :Auxey-Duresses Le Graal du Clos du Moulin aux Moines stands out for its intensity and depth, in line with the great red wines of Côte de Beaune. It's a wine that's both concentrated and fine, capable of evolving admirably over the years. It illustrates Le Clos du Moulin aux Moines ' ambition to create haute couture cuvées, where every detail of the terroir is magnified by flawless precision craftsmanship. In theAuxey-Duresses landscape, this rare monopole imposes its singularity and stands as a great reference for ageing.

On the nose, the cuvée reveals a striking intensity, initially marked by cooked black fruits and an almost liquorish candied cherry. As the wine airs out, delicate floral touches mingle with darker notes of prune and fine leather. The palette deepens still further, with more evolved scents of lightly smoky undergrowth, lending an almost meditative dimension to the whole.

On the palate, the attack is ample and generous, carried by ripe, silky black fruit with a generously enveloping texture. The tannic structure, both supple and perfectly shaped, gracefully supports the mid-palate. Fine, integrated acidity brings tension and balance, while the aromatic palette gradually reveals nuances of bitter cocoa and sweet spices. The finish is marked by noble bitters and texture, with a persistence that is the signature of this exceptional monopole.