Clos de la Roche - burgundywine.com

Clos de la Roche, a Grand Cru in Morey-Saint-Denis, is famed for its intensity and complexity. The name refers to the stony nature of its soil—“la roche” meaning rock—which contributes to the wine’s firm structure and mineral depth. Pinot Noir from Clos de la Roche combines the power of Gevrey-Chambertin with the finesse of Chambolle-Musigny. The wines are dark and aromatic, offering layers of black cherry, violet, forest floor, and spice. With age, they develop gamey and truffled nuances, becoming profoundly expressive. Long-lived and commanding, Clos de la Roche exemplifies the Côte de Nuits’ ability to produce wines of strength and elegance in perfect balance.

White Wines

Though the Clos de la Roche appellation is reserved exclusively for red wines, a few experimental parcels of Chardonnay exist nearby in Morey-Saint-Denis. These unofficial whites capture the mineral depth of the site’s limestone soils, producing wines with lively acidity and fine structure. Aromas of citrus, green apple, and chalk mingle with subtle notes of almond and white flowers. A touch of oak aging can enhance texture and complexity, adding nuance without heaviness. While not recognized under the Grand Cru designation, such rare whites reflect the terroir’s underlying power and precision—offering a fascinating glimpse of how this legendary vineyard might express itself through Burgundy’s other noble grape.

Red Wines

Clos de la Roche produces some of the most commanding and complex Pinot Noir in Burgundy. This Grand Cru, perched in the heart of Morey-Saint-Denis, takes its name from the stony soils—“la roche” meaning rock—that shape its firm structure and mineral precision. The wines are deeply colored and powerful, showing dark cherry, blackberry, and plum accented by notes of violet, earth, and spice. With time, they evolve toward game, truffle, and forest-floor complexity while maintaining freshness and tension. The tannins are substantial yet refined, giving these wines remarkable longevity. Clos de la Roche embodies the ideal of the Côte de Nuits: intensity balanced by grace, capable of aging beautifully for decades.