Gros F & S The wines

By the label, we could expect a “simple” Chardonnay…but on the contrary, what a Chardonnay it is !

Its delicate golden yellow coloring with silver reflections, divulges its youth.  But we are immediately charmed by its nice density and numerous tears visible on the sides of the glass, disclosing its magnificent quality.  

This wine’s nose reveals its young vintage with soft citrus aromas like clementines, kumquat, or even white fruits such as barely ripe and juicy nectarines.  But it would not be a Chardonnay without its telling notes of white flowers such as acacia and honeysuckle, delicately highlighted by gourmet notes of patisseries such as raisin bread and brioche.   On the palate, this vintage has a remarkable smoothness, with a certain opulence and salinity.  Its citrus aromas bring a nice freshness, blending with light bitters that accentuate the salivating sensation of sea salt.  A beautiful persistence encourages us to age this wine between 5 and 7 years.  

Planted in 2016, this plot was cultivated with high vines at a low planting density of 4,800 vines per hectare.  With a fully South facing exposition at 375m in altitude, on a bed of loamy clay-sandy soil, it is protected by the trees that surround it on both sides, allowing these vines to stay cool during the warmer years.  A pleasurable wine, accessible and generous, it expresses itself freely. 

This 2022 Burgundy white Hautes Côtes de Nuits is the epitome of a well-made, very handsome Chardonnay !

Its coloring, yellow tinted with light green reflections, impresses us with its sparkle and brilliance.  

This wine offers a very pleasant nose where aromas of almonds and grilled hazelnut intertwine with delicate aromas of acacia, honeysuckle, and broom.  But after a few minutes of aeration, it opens up with fruity notes of juicy peaches, apricots, and crunchy pears, and intensifies with soft citrus touches. Not only is its freshness on the palate impressive, but this 2022 white Bourgogne Hautes Côtes de Nuits also presents a beautiful volume and roundness, maintaining the same harmony of aromas.  Tasting it in its youth is a pure gourmet moment.  

Located in the town of Nuits-Saint-Georges and more precisely in the hamlet of Concoeur-et-Corboin, these vineyards were planted from 1990 to 1999.  They are cultivated with high vines at 385m in altitude and at a planting density of 4,800 vines per hectare.  Oriented East-West, its soil is made of a loamy sandy-clay.  A complex and harmonious wine, its aromatic palette is rich.  

This beautiful 2022 Pinot noir, in the pure Burgundian tradition, exudes a typical aromatic palette for this grape variety: if you do not know it yet, what are you waiting for ?

It’s raspberry-ruby coloring with pinky-blue highlights immediately attracts your eye.  Its youth is also expressed by its brilliance, foretelling its incredible freshness.

Very light amyl notes of toffee gently brush your nose before taking off with dominate aromas of strawberries and juicy black cherries, without forgetting the heady floral notes of peonies and rose. After a bit of aeration, this 2022 Pinot noir gives off spicy breezes of liquorice sticks, white pepper, and nutmeg, with a side of undergrowth and humus.  

It’s refreshing palate, both tender and full-bodied, reveals a refined structure, quite airy and silky.  It’s finish is the epitome of this wine: gourmet, crunchy, and tart boasting floral flavors as well as juicy blackcurrant.  Ready to enjoy, it can also be matured in your cellars another 3 to 5 years.  

This plot was planted in 1993 with a density of 10.000 vines per hectare, exposed North-East.  Its soil is mostly clay with an altitude of 250m.  This Pinot Noir is the reflection of our know-how:  Generally, with a nice freshness on the colder years, this wine can also be very ripe during hot years.

Such a delicacy in this 2022 red Burgundy! It could be summarized by “head in the skies but feet well planted on the ground”.

Firstly, this wine thrills us with its tender raspberry ruby coloring, in harmony with its young vintage.

The nose reveals a nice maturity, with intense notes of blackberry or blueberry cream liquors as well as delicious raspberry and cherry jams.  A magnificent complementary aromatic palette expresses delicate floral aromas such as peony, and notable spice flavors such as rosemary and thyme balsamic, in addition to a mineral soil effect.    

It’s fleshy palate, fruity and crunchy, is highlighted by its still young tannins, that a few months of ageing will fully transform.  A nice freshness is expressed by a liquorice, long lasting finish.  To summarize, with your eyes closed, we could imagine that we are transported to the middle of the vineyards through the tasting !  

These plots are in the towns of Boncourt-le-Bois, Chambolle-Musigny and Gilly-les-Cîteaux, with the plantation dating from 1968 to 1998.  The soils are clay-like with a North to East exposition.  The altitude is close to 240m.  A quickly seductive wine, it should be enjoyed during its youth. 

What an olfactory journey ! This 2022 red Bourgogne Hautes Côtes de Nuits will charm you and take you far away to a country of a thousand spices…

Our eyes are instantly attracted to not only its shimmery ruby-raspberry coloring, but also by its luminous brilliance.

On the nose, it’s a world where lovely scents of rosemary balsamic, thyme, and bay leaves harmonize with spicy notes of liquorice sticks, Sichuan pepper, nutmeg, and cloves…Very ripe black fruits, more discreet, complete the ensemble, without forgetting a few more distinguished fragrances of musk and undergrowth.      

On the palate, this 2022 Bourgogne Hautes Côtes de Nuit red wine is quite full, ample, with a sturdy structure, enveloping and velvety.  Its tannins are already very silky even in its youth.  The length on the palate is quite impressive, with notes of a creamy black currant, and of course the many spices and a touch of undergrowth that characterizes it.  Already very enjoyable today, this wine can also wait another 5 to 7 years to reach its climax.  

These two distinct plots are in the town of Nuits-Saint-Georges, and more precisely the hamlet of Concœur-et-Corboin.  These wines are exposed from the East to the West, on clay and sandy-loam soil.  They were planted between 1988 and 2001, with a density of 4,800 vines per hectare.  The average altitude is about 395m.  Denser than a Bourgogne, the Hautes Côtes de Nuits is harvested a week to fifteen days later.  We can find a nice maturity in this wine, even if it remains very accessible during its youth.  

This 2022 Chemin Des Moines de Vergy aromatic note is pure and increased tenfold through its intensity.  

Its raspberry violet coloring and its beautiful depth is very promising.  When observing its brilliance and its tears, slowly dripping down the side of the glass, our desire to discover increases.  

As we slowly breathe in this wine, we are instantly charmed by the gourmet fruit that greets our noses!  The blackcurrant liquor aromas marry mesmerizing perfumes of zan, and peonies, complimented by warm light notes of balsamic rosemary and thyme.  With our eyes closed, we could believe that we were strolling along a path…to meet the Monks of Vergy.

The crunchiness of fruit does not diminish when we taste it.  Its palate is ample and welcoming, with a roundness and fullness.  Its freshness is present not only in the fruity flavors, but also in the liquorice aroma. You can enjoy it right away or you can choose to let it meditate another few years in the bottle.  

This sole plot was planted in 2014 to 2015, exclusively in Pinot Noir.  Its soils had not welcomed vines since the end of the 19th century.  Ancient documents show the presence of walls that resembled an enclosure, which insinuate its potential.  For nearly 650 years, the Monks of Vergy, owners and operators of the vineyards, daily walked the path that runs along this enclosure.  When they came to work in their own vineyards « Le Cloux des Cinq Journaux», they passed by morning and night to return to their Abbey located in Curtil Vergy in the Hautes Côtes. 

Facing the rising sun, a cross was erected to display the imprint and history of this place.  This plot has a loamy sandy-clay soil.  It is exposed to the East at 390m in altitude, cultured with high vines at a density of 4,800 vines per hectare.  The Chemin des Moines de Vergy offers concentrated wines, due to its low yields.  One should leave them 3 to 4 years in the cellars to enjoy their full potential.  

This 2022 Vosne-Romanée is irresistible, with its aromatic complexity and it’s great concentration. In summary, “An iron fist in a velvet glove” !

At first glimpse, this vat’s coloring is raspberry red, slightly purple with a nice intensity and thick tears that linger on the glass, foretelling a wine of beautiful workmanship.  

You will not be disappointed when you bring this wine to your nose!  It exudes initial aromas of red fruits and very ripe black berries blending with strawberries, Bigarreau cherries, and freshly picked blackberries…Next, it’s a festival of floral notes, spices, and undergrowth with a certain minerality, highlighted by warm chocolate notes.

It’s generosity is also present on the palate.  This 2022 Vosne-Romanée fulfills its promise with a great volume, topped with numerous fine-grained tannins bringing not only a velvety and silky sensation, but also a certain force and concentration.  It’s refreshing and yet heady finish is accompanied by notes of cacao and spices.  Its quality and melted structure mean that we can enjoy this wine immediately, but it’s important not to underestimate its ageing potential of 7 to 9 years.  

The plots, located in three locations : « Aux Réas », « Au-dessus de la Rivière » and « Fontaine de Vosne »,  are at 240 m of altitude.  Exposed North and North-West, they were planted at a density of 10,000 vines per hectare, from 1998 to 2001.  The soils here are a chalky clay, the cradle of Pinot Noir.  The wine is a delicate, silky, velvet.  One must wait 3 to 4 years to fully enjoy this wine.  

This 2022 Vosne-Romanée « Clos de la Fontaine » is a sublime discovery and a refined delicacy…

Its shimmering color is a vermillon slightly garnet, with a beautiful brilliance but also depth, revealing a full-bodied wine, but without being massive.  

It’s an invitation to a journey with its range of soft spices highlighted by slight toasted notes of vanilla.  The aromas of strawberry jam and morello cherries mingle with notes of old rose and dried flowers.   These are all highlighted, after aeration, by more fall fragrances such as amber, and ferns.  

The palate of this wine is noble, tender and voluminous, with a delicate structure and silky but chiseled tannins, like lace.   A note of cherry pits, cinnamon, and peppered notes give this wine a nice and long finish.   This remarkable 2022 Vosne-Romanée « Clos de la Fontaine » 2022 is ready to be enjoyed but could also wait at least another 5 years.  

This small, enclosed monopoly was purchased by Jean Gros.  Exposed to the South and at an altitude of 235m, it was planted in 1991 with a density of 10,000 vines per hectare.  The soil here is a chalky clay, the perfect cradle for Pinot Noir.  Very silky and delicate, it is the signature of the Vosne terroirs. 

Well-bred and powerful, this 2022 Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru « Les Chaumes » will charm you with its force and character, but also surprise you with its impressive and magnificent aromatic complexity…

The coloring is attractive with its ripe and juicy raspberry tones, highlighted by its great intensity and depth, a sign of a well affirmed character.  

Its intoxicating perfume attracts with its floral notes of peonies and lilies mingling with gourmet nuances of blueberry pie, and blackcurrant liquor.  Aromas of toasted oaks and chocolate blend with flavors of spices and undergrowth, reminiscent of humid soil, slightly highlighted by animal notes and dried vegetation.   On the palate, this 2022 Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru « Les Chaumes » expresses with force and conviction through a great concentration as well as a quite powerful structure, topped off with tannins already well coated, but still massive, that will become gorgeous after a few years of ageing in the bottle.  Its finish is in harmony with the rest of the tasting: dried vegetal notes, undergrowth, and creamy black berries.  This wine can be aged another 10 to 15 years without problem taking into consideration its great potential. 

This plot, planted in 1986 is the most exclusive of the Domaine, due to its small size.  Exposed to the East, it is located just below “La Tach”, Grand Cru.  It is at an altitude of 250m.  Denser than the Vosne Village, this wine often reveals spicer notes in its youth due to its location.  You must wait 5 years to fully enjoy this wine’s potential. 

This 2022 Echezeaux, shy and self-restrained, opens with time, like a blooming flower, petal after petal…  

Its intense raspberry coloring, stretching toward violet, is gifted with a nice sparkle and refined colored tears, reflecting its youth and foretelling a very nice future for this wine.  

At first glance, this wine seems discreet with delicately toasted oaky notes and a hint of mocha.  Next comes aromas of very ripe red fruits, like cherry, Morello cherry, as well as Ente plums, perfectly marrying warm spices and cinnamon.  After a few minutes, this 2022 Echezeaux increases in complexity and reveals sublime floral perfumes of old rose and peonies, highlighted by a touch of mineral graphite-like notes, as well as undergrowth.    

This wine is enveloping with its roundness on the palate.  Quite voluminous and concentrated, its fine structure is distinguished by its silky and unbelievable smoothness.  The tasting of this wine is marked by a great delicacy on both the nose and the palate, with a final gourmet fruity freshness.  Don’t believe that this 2022 Echezeaux will not withstand the test of time, it’s the type of quiet strength that will truly express its complexity and its personality in the next 10 to 15 years. 

This plot was purchased by Jules Gros in the beginning of the 20th century.  Exposed to the East, it was planted between 1990 and 1995, on a chalky clay soil at an altitude of 260m.  The planting density is 10,000 vines per hectare.  This is the most charming Grand Cru.  It has the advantage of easily expressing itself during its youth. 

When you taste this 2022 Clos de Vougeot, you will take a journey through an exceptional land.  

Its ancestral vines and their ripe bunches transport us through the years and reveal their secrets to us…

This wine, at first glance, already invites us to discover its raspberry purple coloring, its great brilliance and its plentiful thick tears, thick and slightly colored, proof of an optimal maturity and great quality.  

Its flattering and charming bouquet amazes us with its intense aromatic complexity.  After delicate floral notes of powdered old rose, aromas of wild blackberry and raspberry arrive.  A few minutes later, a more distinguished feel completes the experience with autumn notes like cloves, Sichuan pepper, and Tonka bean, that enchantingly blend with light mineral notes of graphite and slate.  All of these aromas are highlighted by a touch of undergrowth and humus.  

How can one describe the palate without mentioning its enchanting volume, density and richness.  Not only is its structure sturdy with the numerous noble and smooth tannins, but also the after taste is in total harmony with the anticipated flavors.  Its welcoming and velvety finish whispers « come back again soon » (with moderation of course). 

Purchased by Jules Gros in 1920 at an auction for Léonce Bocquet’s properties, this vineyard is located against the wall of the upper part of Clos de Vougeot, North-West of the castle.  Replanted in 1986, 1988, and 1989, its altitude is at 260m, and it is exposed East, South-East.  It produces a Grand Cru sometimes monastic in its youth, but with a nice ageing potential.  

This 2022 Richebourg speaks to us like a poem, a promise…and carries its name well “rich”  bourg !

Its quite intense raspberry undertones is paired with a slight touch of garnet, all the while keeping its youthful pink highlights.  

A little discreet on the first nosing, aromas of toasted bread, slightly smoked, reveal its ageing in the barrels.  Next it takes the time to open, exuding notes of juicy red fruits, strawberry jam, blending extraordinarily well with soft notes of warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and tobacco.  After a few minutes of aeration, a great complexity arrives! In addition to the initial aromas, delicate floral notes such as lilacs mix with sun-drenched black berries and a light presence of tertiary aromas like white truffle.

Its palate is in synch with its bouquet:  round and with a fresh attack, transforming to dense and full-bodied. This wine, in its youth, presents a beautiful concentration with many melted tannins but also maintaining a firm grain deserving to be amplified with time.  This 2022 Richebourg will easily keep its promises in the decade(s) to come.

Acquired by Louis Gustave Gros in 1882, this plot is the flagship of Domaine Gros Frère et Soeur.  The vines were replanted in 1989 at a density of 10,000 vines per hectare on a chalky-clay soil.  Its altitude reaches 280m, with a Northern exposition.  A grand cru from the town of Vosne-Romanée, the vines are located just below the famous Cros Parantoux.  At times austere in the beginning of its life, due to its strong ageing potential, it is the most complex of the three Grands Crus.