Description

Domaine Henri Clerc & Fils

The origins of the Clerc estate, originally located on the main square in Puligny-Montrachet, date back to the 16th century. Upon his retirement in 2002, Bernard Clerc placed Vincent Girardin in charge of his vineyards and winemaking. The Clerc estate of 11 hectares of vineyards is centered in Puligny-Montrachet, and includes 3 Grands Crus. The vineyards are farmed organically and biodynamically. No herbicides or insecticides are used, and the soils are regularly plowed. The vines are trained high to enhance photosynthesis. The traditional Clerc label has been modernized and is now as elegant and sophisticated as the wines themselves.?The Clerc Puligny-Montrachet AOC comes from several parcels with stony- clay-limestone soil lower down on the slope. The vines are pruned to limit production by eliminating excess buds and green-harvesting. Harvest is done entirely by hand. The grapes are meticulously sorted both in the vineyard and the winery to eliminate unhealthy fruit. They are immediately gently pressed in a pneumatic press to retain maximum fruit and aromatic extraction. The must is kept in tanks at low temperatures for 7 days before transferal to oak barrels, of which 15% are new, for alcoholic fermentation and maturation. Only native yeasts, present on the grapes skins, are used. The Puligny-Montrachet AOC matures in barrels on its lees with minimal battonage, or stirring of the lees, to ensure the wine?s freshness. Bottling takes place after about 15 months in accordance with the lunar cycle. The Clerc Puligny-Montrachet AOC is pure Puligny: focused, racy and pure, with notes of crisp tropical and pear fruit and an enjoyably long finish. It has a focused texture balanced with a lively acidity the French would call ?nervosite.?

The Puligny-Montrachet Folati?res AOC of Domaine Clerc comes from a unique parcel in the middle of the Premier Cru Folati?res vineyard. For obscure administrative reasons having to do with the soil mix, it is classified as ?only? AOC. From 65-year-old vines, it is exceptionally full bodied for a village wine. The must is kept in tanks at low temperatures for 7 days before transferal to oak barrels, of which 15% are new, for alcoholic fermentation and maturation. Only native yeasts, present on the grapes skins, are used. The Puligny-Montrachet Folati?res AOC matures in barrels on its lees with minimal battonage, or stirring of the lees, to ensure the wine?s freshness. Bottling takes place after about 15 months, in accordance with the lunar cycle. The flavor and texture are pure Puligny, with notes of crisp tropical and pear fruit with an extra dimension of richness. The Folati?res AOC represents excellent value.

?Puligny-Montrachet wine?is produced in the commune of?Puligny-Montrachet?in?