• Gérard Mugneret

    • Vosne-Romanée Les Suchots 1er Cru

    At a Glance

    • Etymology: Suchot is a derivative of souche, tree stump. It generally alludes to the clearing operations that were carried out, leaving only the tree stumps and roots after the trees have been cut down. (Source: Marie-Hélène Landrieu-Lussigny).
    • Size: 0.39 ha (0.94 ac)
    • Variety: Pinot Noir
    • Vine Age: Planted in 1939 and 1988
    • Terroir: The Mugneret parcel is located at the top of the vineyard in the unofficial lieu-dit Grands Suchots. This was the name several vignerons including Pascal’s and Charles Lachaux’ grandfathers used to give to the location, in an effort to proudly separate their great Suchots from the lesser ones at the bottom of the slope. Pascal says that his vineyard counts up to 5 specific terroir units despite its small size. A the top the clays are shallow, very stony, and very draining, which can present occasional risks of hydric stress. Towards the middle there is an ancient river bed. The clays are deeper and more water-retentive. The vines never struggle and there is always grass in the rows. At the bottom, there is a resurgence of the bedrock. The soils are very shallow, yet the vines do not struggle here either.
    • Viticulture: Uncertified biodynamic
    • Vinification: 50-60% whole cluster, ambient yeast ferment. Aged in oak barrels (30% new) for 12 to 18 months. Since 2016, very moderate sulfur additions: none during vinification, a little during élevage and before bottling, for a total of 15 to 20 ppm.

    Additional Info

    Les Suchots is too big of a vineyard, with too much disparity in its terroir, to be counted among the best premiers crus. This is unfair to the best part of the vineyard, which is spectacular. It has a ton of Asian spice, the most celebrated aromatic signature of Vosne- Romanée. Texturally, it belongs to the family of terroirs that give you the greatest cuddles —a little more timid than the unabashed embrace of La Tâche or Les Amoureuses, but plainly put, great Suchots is very sensual drink. In contrast, its finish is discreet, not powerfully mineral, but very long.

    Jasper Morris: “A typical Suchots begins with the ethereal perfume of a great Vosne-Romanée, but just when you expect it to build in the mouth it seems to fade away. Yet it does not die, and just as you are about to confess a slight feeling of deception you become aware that the subtle flavours still linger on the palate in a most entrancing fashion.

    Allen Meadows: “When you find a really fine bottle of Suchots, it will offer a terrific drinking experience. It will almost always feature an utterly seductive and entirely classic nose of Asian spices that is complimented by an opulent richness on the mid-palate, delivering a certain fulness with absolutely no rusticity or hard edges on a finish of haunting length.”