Clerget 2021s

Longtime Ansonia readers will recognize the name Christian Clerget. For many years they were one of our sources for top shelf red Burgundy, along with Gros and Amiot. The tiny domaine based in Vougeot has terrific holdings in Chambolle-Musigny, Vougeot, Vosne-Romanée and Echezeaux Grand Cru, among others. They signed up with an exclusive national importer a decade ago and while we were sad to see them go, we’ve been enjoying their remaining wines from our cellar for the past few years.

A few years ago we checked back in to reiterate our interest should their importing relationships change, and after a few false starts we’re delighted to report that they’ve agreed to carve out an allocation of their delicious 2022s for us starting next spring. Our return appears well-timed: in our decade away Christian’s daughter Justine has taken over the winemaking, and her results have caught the eye of the Burgundian wine writers. We’d been planning to hide our enthusiasm until next year, but Lady Luck decided it was our turn – last month Clerget’s Munich importer released some of his allocation, and we’ve landed a (tiny) cache of their 2021s.

We look forward to importing the full lineup of 2022s next spring, but we have four 2021s to offer today. We haven’t tasted this vintage, but based on critical notes and our barrel tastings of the 2022s, we suggest them with enthusiasm. We’re sending this to a smaller list than usual, but we expect most of these to sell out – fill in an order with what you’d like and we’ll try to get everyone a taste. If you’re shut out of a wine you like, we’ll put you first in line for the 2022s.

First the village-level Chambolle-Musigny – this is a blend of several plots across the appellation, and was punchy and delicious in 2022. Burghound called 2021 “elegant” and “seductively textured,” concluding “lovely.” Look for plums and cassis with a silky texture.

At the premier cru level, we have Chambolle-Musigny 1er cru “Les Charmes,” a vineyard located in the center of town. Jasper Morris loved this wine, calling Clerget’s 2021 “Charmes by name and by nature.” The usually taciturn Burghound turned effusive, awarding 91-93 and writing “​​wonderfully elegant, airy and dazzlingly pure… I really like the sophisticated texture… excellent length on the balanced and palate-staining finish. This is impressive and a wine that should reward up to a decade of keeping.”

Just south of Chambolle lies the tiny appellation of Vougeot, the large majority of whose vines lie within the Grand Cru Clos Vougeot. Clerget owns vines in Vougeot 1er cru “Petits Vougeot,” a supremely well-located premier cru that abuts both Amoureuses and Musigny. This was always one of our favorite wines from the domaine, and we can’t wait to get our hands on the 2021. Morris awarded 91-93 points, calling it “more Vougeot than Chambolle in style,” and Burghound found “delicious flavors” and “excellent minerality.”

Finally, we have 6 bottles (5 if you count the one we’re keeping for “research”) of Clerget’s terrific Echezeaux Grand Cru, from the En Orveaux sector. Justine’s vines here are over 75 years old, and produce magnificent, concentrated juice. Burghound found it “plump and caressing” with “excellent length,” giving 91-94 points. We’ll sell this by the bottle, let us know how many you’re interested in.

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