Vougeot Rouge 1er Cru Les Cras

With 18 wonderfully diverse appellations across the region, 12 of which are Premier and Grand crus, Bertagna is among the top ranking Domaines in Burgundy. A desire for perfection and emphasis on quality, coupled with significant investments in technology and vineyard management, result in some of the region’s most compelling wines. Domaine Bertagna is perhaps best known for its elegant, silky red wines, but it also produces one of the world’s rarest white wines – Vougeot 1er Cru Blanc “Les Cras” from the Côtes de Nuits. Bertagna comprises 20 hectares, most of which are planted to Pinot Noir; the remaining area is planted to Chardonnay and split between Vougeot 1er Cru Les Cras, Vougeot Le Village and a parcel of Corton-Charlemagne. Their wines include five Grands Crus, seven Premiers Crus, and three Village wines, stretching from Chambertin to Corton. The historic Domaine Bertagna once belonged to the Cistercian monks, famous for founding the Clos de Vougeot in the 13th century. The estate’s cellars and vineyards are located in the heart of the village nearby the Château and its ancient Chapter House.

The vineyards are hard and white limestone soils with some mineral clay located just north of Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru.

Rigorous pruning in the spring is followed by green harvest at veraison to limit yields. After sorting during the hand harvests, the grapes are sorted again at the winery before a whole cluster pneumatic pressing. The lees settle out, and the wine is drained directly into oak barrels (25% new) for alcoholic and malolactic fermentations. The wine is aged for 15-18 months in french oak barrels (50% new oak) before bottling.

Aromas of mint, eucalyptus, and cocoa beans. The palate is racy with complex tannins that lead to a rich structure combining strength and elegance.