Domaine de l'Arlot Cote de Nuits Villages Rouge "Clos du Chapeau" 2022
(Burgundy, France)

About the Domaine:
Jean-Pierre de Smet defined the winemaking style at Domaine de L’Arlot with his philosophy that “the more one knows, the less one interferes.” In 2002, he brought biodynamic farming to the domaine and even cured the wood that would eventually be made into the estate’s barrels. Jean-Pierre retired in 2007 turning over the estate to Olivier Leriche, who followed the same philosophy and believed that every decision has to “respect the soil, respect the plants, and ensure that both are in harmony with the environment.”

About this Wine:
The wine stylishly defends the appellation Côte de Nuits Villages. It has a serene ambition: to express the finesse of the Pinot Noir. It develops a dashing nose which ventilates the notes of morello cherries and fruit stones, often drifting towards cloves, sandalwood and sometimes cocoa. Alert and agile, the wine draws out the suppleness and elegance by affirming itself through a substance of red fruit flavours with touches of pepper and vanilla notes. Its character enables it to be tasted quite young, "on the fruit", but it may improve with age, up to 10 years or so.

The Terroir
Located in the village of Comblanchien, this is a hat-shaped plot- hence the name of the vineyard. The vines are of approximately 45 years old and grow in soils composed of limestone and gravel.

The grapes are hand picked, twice sorted (once on the vine, then at the crush pad after being picked). All transfers are made via gravity flow. By avoiding the use of pumps, the integrity of the grapes are better preserved. Domaine de l'Arlot takes a very hands off approach to winemaking.

The wine is aged in primarily new French Oak for 14-16 months.

Tasting Notes:

The nose opens with aromas of blackcurrant and red berries, accompanied by floral notes. A direct, elegant wine with a smooth texture that ends in a long and creamy finish. An excellent wine with a lingering finish.

Ratings & Reviews:

89 Points - Jasper Morris' Inside Burgundy:
"In bottle. Mid crimson colour. The bouquet shows a little more fruit ripeness than Le Mont. Not so much detail. Quite firm on the palate, with a more rigid structure, a fair volume of fruit, but on the discreet side today. Drink from 2025-2028." (Oct 2023)

Vinous Media:
“The 2022 Cote de Nuits Village Clos du Chapeau is the one cuvée I felt flirted with a little sur-maturité on the nose: touches of hickory and dates filtering through the red plummy fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with quite a powerful entry, a little more savory in style compared to its peers. Touches of black truffle and cracked black pepper show up towards the finish, showing some sinew. Afford this a couple of years in bottle. Maybe just missing the grace of their cuvées emanating from the Hautes-Côtes.” – Neal Martin (Jan 2024)