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B-21 Top Recommendation
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Of all the new direct-import discoveries to join our portfolio last year, perhaps none reach the heights of quality that Domaine Clos de la Chapelle does. This remarkable domaine under the direction of Pierre Merguey and his American partner Mark O'Connell is still flying under the radar, but they're poised for a big breakout into the elite echelon.
The domaine's vineyard holdings are impressive to say the least, centered around their monopole Volnay Clos de la Chapelle 1er Cru. Top to bottom, the 2023s were incredibly impressive on both occasions we tasted them, at Wine Paris in February and again at the domaine in April. The critical press is equally impressed on a consistent basis, as the domaine has racked up solid accolades from Wine Spectator, Burghound, Inside Burgundy, and View From the Cellar.
The crown jewel is indeed the "utterly stunning" monopole Volnay 1er Cru Clos de la Chapelle, a 96-point showstopper that's "all about finesse and its silky texture, with ... terrific dimension." The double 95-point Volnay 1er Cru Taillepieds is itself a world-class expression of this hallowed site that can stand toe-to-toe with the likes of d'Angerville and Montille at a fraction of their prices. Gilman exclaims, "I have always loved this terroir since my very earliest days drinking Burgundy and it seems pretty clear to me that today, no one makes a better example of Taillepieds than the team at Clos de la Chapelle!" The JG94 Volany Santentots du Milieu is a bona fide gem in its own. "Remarkably sensual," the 2023 is "a simply great bottle of Santenots du Milieu in the making." The sleeper gem, however, is the Beaune Champs Pimot 1er Cru. The lesser-know lieu-dit turned out a fantastic 2023 with a "complex aromatic constellation" and a "a very good core of fruit, tangy acids, fine focus and balance and a long, suavely tannic finish."
It's safe to say we haven't been this excited to introduce a new producer in a long time, and our direct access to the domaine's cellars makes the entire line-up some of the sharpest collectible buys in our Burgundy inventory. |
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This alluring red exudes pure cherry, raspberry, floral and mineral aromas and flavors, with a firm underlying structure. Harmonious and intense while building to the long, detailed aftertaste. Already beautifully balanced, this should age gracefully. Best from 2029 through 2045.
95 points, Bruce Sanderson, Wine Spectator (Apr 2026)
An even mid purple. Some nobility to the fruit here, picked quite early, 9th September, before the balance of ripeness could escape. In fact, the Grands Epenots has the lowest pH in the cellar in 2023. Firm tannins which I consider entirely reasonable, just a question of time and a coherent classy fruit, more red berry than black, with respectable length. Classically Epenots in style. Drink from 2030-2038. Tasted Oct 2024.
92-94 points, Jasper Morris, Inside Burgundy (Jan 2025)
The 2023 Pommard “les Grands Épenots” from Domaine Clos de la Chapelle is a lovely wine this year, showing a black fruity personality on both the nose and palate. The beautiful bouquet wafts from the glass in a mix of black cherries, dark berries, black plums, coffee bean, gamebird, dark soil tones, a deft framing of new oak and a smoky topnote. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied, soil-driven and very elegant for a young Pommard, with a beautiful core of black fruit, fine focus and grip, lovely balance and a long, ripely tannic and youthfully complex finish. This is going to be a simply beautiful bottle of wine once it is ready to drink!
93 points, John Gilman, View From The Cellar (Apr 2025)
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