Domaine Clos de la Chapelle: Exceptional Burgundy, Extraordinary Discoveries

Domaine Clos de la Chapelle Pommard 1er Cru Les Grands Epenots 2023 is an exceptional Pinot Noir from one of the most highly regarded Premier Cru vineyards in Burgundy's Côte de Beaune. Renowned for its remarkable combination of power, elegance, and longevity, Les Grands Epenots is among the distinguished Pommard vineyards proposed for elevation to Grand Cru status.

The domaine cultivates a small 0.23-hectare parcel of approximately 25-year-old vines. The vineyard's clay-limestone soils contribute complexity, structure, and mineral character, while careful aging in French oak adds subtle refinement and depth.

The 2023 vintage reveals expressive aromas of ripe black cherries, raspberries, dark plums, violets, and delicate smoky oak, complemented by earthy nuances and subtle spice. On the palate, the wine is concentrated yet beautifully balanced, offering layers of red and dark berries, fine-grained tannins, vibrant acidity, and a distinctive mineral backbone. The texture is elegant and harmonious, leading to a long, complex finish with lingering notes of fruit, spice, and savory earth.

Combining the powerful structure traditionally associated with Pommard and the finesse of an exceptional Premier Cru terroir, this wine offers excellent aging potential. A sophisticated and collectible Burgundy, it pairs beautifully with roasted duck, venison, lamb, beef tenderloin, wild mushrooms, and aged cheeses.

Recommended Drinking Window: 2029-2045.

Expert Review

95 Points Wine Spectator: This alluring red exudes pure cherry, raspberry, floral and mineral aromas and flavors, with a firm underlying structure.

Country: France

Region: Burgundy, Côte de Beaune

Appellation: Pommard Premier Cru, Les Grands Epenots

Grape: 100% Pinot Noir

Wine Type: Dry Red Wine

Classification: Premier Cru

Vintage: 2023

Domaine Clos de la Chapelle Beaune 1er Cru Champs Pimont 2023 is an elegant and beautifully structured Pinot Noir from one of Burgundy's distinguished Premier Cru vineyards. Located west of Beaune, the Champs Pimont vineyard features iron-rich clay soils and mature vines that contribute depth, complexity, and distinctive mineral character.

The vineyard's central position within Beaune produces a harmonious balance between the fruit-forward character of northern Beaune and the firmer structure of its southern vineyards.

The 2023 vintage reveals expressive aromas of ripe cherries, blackberries, raspberries, and subtle floral notes, complemented by smoky oak, wild herbs, and hints of menthol. On the palate, the wine is vibrant and beautifully balanced, offering concentrated fruit, refined tannins, refreshing acidity, and an elegant mineral backbone. The finish is long and complex, with lingering notes of dark fruit, spice, and earth.

A sophisticated Premier Cru Burgundy with excellent aging potential, this wine pairs beautifully with roasted poultry, duck, pork, veal, and mushroom-based dishes.

Expert Review

95 Points Wine Spectator: Showing oak spice notes, this red is smoky in style, with cherry, blackberry, mineral and green olive, plus hints of wild herbs and menthol. Displays excellent depth, harmony and structure, with a long, complex aftertaste that echoes the fruit, mineral and spice elements.

Domaine Clos de la Chapelle Volnay 1er Cru Taillepieds 2023 is an exceptional old-vine Pinot Noir from one of the most highly regarded Premier Cru vineyards in Burgundy's Côte de Beaune. Combining remarkable elegance, concentration, and mineral precision, this limited-production wine beautifully expresses the distinctive terroir of Volnay.

Situated high on the slopes just south of the village of Volnay, the Taillepieds vineyard benefits from excellent southeastern exposure and limestone-rich soils. Domaine Clos de la Chapelle cultivates a small 0.47-hectare parcel of vines averaging approximately 65 years of age. These mature vines produce naturally low yields, contributing concentration, complexity, and remarkable depth of flavor.

The 2023 vintage reveals expressive aromas of black cherries, ripe blackberries, dark plums, peonies, subtle cocoa, and warm spices, complemented by delicate notes of sandalwood, toasted oak, and earthy minerality. On the palate, the wine is rich and beautifully structured, offering layers of dark berry fruit, refined tannins, vibrant acidity, and a distinctive mineral backbone. Its generous texture is balanced by freshness and precision, leading to a long, complex finish with lingering notes of fruit, spice, and savory earth.

Aged in French oak barrels for approximately 12 to 18 months, the wine develops additional depth and complexity while preserving the purity of its Pinot Noir fruit.

This sophisticated Premier Cru Burgundy combines the finesse traditionally associated with Volnay with impressive concentration and aging potential. An excellent choice for collectors and lovers of fine Burgundy, it pairs beautifully with roasted duck, lamb, venison, beef tenderloin, wild mushrooms, and aged cheeses.

Recommended Drinking Window: 2029-2045.

Expert Ratings

95 points, Bruce Sanderson, Wine Spectator (Apr 2026): This red is lush and mouthfilling, exhibiting dark fruit flavors of black cherry, blackberry, black currant, sandalwood, vanilla and toasty oak. There’s a hint of iron underneath, plus a thick base of tannins. Feels balanced, with refreshing acidity, but needs time. Best from 2029 through 2045.

95 points, John Gilman, View From The Cellar (Apr 2025): Domaine Clos de la Chapelle 2023 Volnay “Taillepieds” Vieilles Vignes is an utterly stunning young wine. I have always loved this terroir since my very earliest days drinking Burgundy and it seems pretty clear to me that today, no one makes a better example of Taillepieds than the team at Clos de la Chapelle! The wine is stunningly complex aromatically right out of the blocks, offering up scents of sweet dark berries, black plums, raw cocoa, gamebird, a gorgeously complex base of soil tones, a touch of brown spices, woodsmoke, peonies and cedary oak. On the palate the wine is pure, precise, full-bodied and sappy at the core, with great soil signature, ripe, buried tannins, good acids and a very, very long, very refined, complex and seamlessly balanced finish. A brilliant young wine!

90-93 points, Jasper Morris, Inside Burgundy (Jan 2025): Not yet racked. Quite a deep ruby purple. The nose shows density but not detail – that will come more after racking. The fruit on the palate is a mix of strawberry, fresher than in some of the cuvees, raspberry and a first hint of blackberry. Tannins are present but in balance, acidity correct, with fair length. Drink from 2030-2038. Tasted Oct 2024.

Country: France

Region: Burgundy, Côte de Beaune

Appellation: Volnay Premier Cru, Taillepieds

Grape: 100% Pinot Noir

Wine Type: Dry Red Wine

Classification: Premier Cru

Vintage: 2023

Alcohol: 13.5%

Domaine Clos de la Chapelle Pommard 1er Cru Les Chanlins 2023 is an elegant and structured red Burgundy produced exclusively from Pinot Noir in the prestigious Pommard Premier Cru appellation of the Côte de Beaune. This limited-production wine reflects the distinctive character of Les Chanlins, a Premier Cru vineyard known for producing expressive, complex, and beautifully balanced wines.

Situated near the border of Pommard and Volnay, the Les Chanlins vineyard benefits from limestone-rich clay soils that contribute both structure and finesse. The vineyard's location helps produce wines that combine the depth and concentration traditionally associated with Pommard with the elegance and aromatic refinement often found in neighboring Volnay.

The 2023 vintage offers an appealing expression of ripe red cherries, raspberries, blackberries, subtle violets, and delicate earthy spice. On the palate, layers of red and dark fruit are complemented by refined tannins, lively acidity, and mineral undertones. The wine's structured yet polished character leads to a persistent finish with lingering fruit and savory notes.

A sophisticated Premier Cru Burgundy with excellent potential for further development in the cellar, this Pinot Noir pairs beautifully with roasted duck, lamb, beef tenderloin, mushroom risotto, and aged cheeses.

Expert Ratings

94 points, John Gilman, View From The Cellar (Apr 2025) I am not certain when these great old vines will celebrate their one hundredth birthday, but we are getting close to that landmark vintage. The 2023 Chanlins from Mark O’Connell and his team is a stunning young wine, offering up a complex and utterly refined bouquet of red and black cherries, pomegranate, pigeon, a very complex base of soil tones, a touch of nutskin, a dollop of fresh thyme, woodsmoke and cedary oak. On the palate the wine is pure, full-bodied, focused and beautifully transparent down to its soil, with a superb core of fruit, good acids and grip, fine-grained tannins and excellent balance on the long, complex and very, very promising finish. This is another very elegant Pommard in the making, but it will need its proper hibernation time down in the cellar before it starts to drink with true generosity. In due course, it will be magical.

90-92 points, Jasper Morris, Inside Burgundy (Jan 2025): 95 year old vines. On the hillside with springs, even though they were mostly dry in 2023. Far from the deepest colour. The fruit is discreet, with a touch of iodine, less evenly balanced across the palate, light tannins, the wine tapering towards a saline finish. Drink from 2029-2037. Tasted Oct 2024.

Region: Burgundy, Côte de Beaune

Appellation: Pommard Premier Cru, Les Chanlins

Grape: 100% Pinot Noir

Wine Type: Dry Red Wine

Classification: Premier Cru

Vintage: 2023

Domaine Clos de la Chapelle Pernand-Vergelesses Blanc 1er Cru Sous Frétille 2023 is an elegant and expressive white Burgundy produced from 100% Chardonnay in the prestigious Pernand-Vergelesses Premier Cru appellation of the Côte de Beaune, Burgundy, France.

Located high on the hillside overlooking the village of Pernand-Vergelesses, the Sous Frétille vineyard benefits from southern exposure and distinctive white marl and limestone soils. Although partially sheltered by the famous Hill of Corton, the vineyard receives generous afternoon sunshine, allowing the Chardonnay grapes to develop excellent ripeness while preserving freshness and mineral precision.

Domaine Clos de la Chapelle cultivates just 0.13 hectares in this exceptional Premier Cru vineyard, with vines averaging approximately 30 years of age. The wine is aged in French oak barrels, approximately 33% of which are new, adding subtle complexity without overwhelming its delicate fruit character.

The 2023 vintage displays a beautiful pale golden color and an expressive bouquet of fresh citrus, green apple, lemon zest, and delicate floral notes. On the palate, the wine is vibrant and refined, offering crisp orchard fruit, subtle smoky nuances, and pronounced limestone minerality. Refreshing acidity provides excellent balance, while the elegant texture leads to a long, precise finish with lingering citrus and mineral notes.

Combining the richness of ripe Chardonnay with the freshness and tension characteristic of Pernand-Vergelesses, this Premier Cru offers a sophisticated expression of white Burgundy. Its elegance and versatility make it an excellent pairing with grilled fish, scallops, oysters, roasted poultry, quiche, and delicately prepared seafood dishes.

Professional Ratings:

92 Points - Wine Spectator

Domaine Clos de la Chapelle Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru Cuvée Exceptionnelle 2022 is a distinctive, limited-production white Burgundy from one of France's most celebrated Grand Cru appellations. Crafted exclusively from Chardonnay grown on the prestigious Corton hillside, this exceptional cuvée showcases the richness, complexity, and remarkable aging potential associated with Corton-Charlemagne.

What distinguishes the Cuvée Exceptionnelle from the domaine's regular Corton-Charlemagne is its extended barrel aging. While both wines originate from the same prestigious Grand Cru appellation, the Cuvée Exceptionnelle receives additional time in barrel to develop greater depth, texture, and complexity.

The aging period varies from vintage to vintage. For the 2022 vintage, Corton-Charlemagne Cuvée Exceptionnelle was aged for 20 months in barrel, compared with 16 months for the regular Corton-Charlemagne.

This extended maturation contributes to a richly textured and sophisticated expression of Chardonnay, balancing ripe orchard fruit, citrus, subtle toasted oak, and the distinctive mineral character of Burgundy's limestone-rich soils.

The wine offers an elegant combination of concentration, freshness, and structure, with a layered palate and a long, refined finish. Its richness and complexity make it particularly well suited to cellaring, allowing additional nuances to develop with time.

An outstanding choice for collectors and lovers of fine white Burgundy, this Grand Cru pairs beautifully with lobster, scallops, roasted turbot, poultry in cream sauces, and aged Comté.

Domaine Clos de la Chapelle Corton Bressandes Grand Cru 2023 is an exceptional Pinot Noir from the prestigious Corton Grand Cru appellation in Burgundy's Côte de Beaune. Combining remarkable elegance, depth, and structure, this limited-production wine beautifully expresses the distinctive terroir of the historic Corton hillside.

The domaine cultivates just 0.20 hectares of mature Pinot Noir vines in Les Bressandes, planted on well-drained clay and limestone soils with excellent southern exposure. Production is extremely limited, traditionally yielding approximately 600 bottles annually.

The 2023 vintage offers expressive aromas of ripe black raspberries, cassis, dark cherries, and earthy spice. On the palate, the wine reveals vibrant red and dark fruit, a beautifully textured mid-palate, refined acidity, and firm yet balanced tannins. Subtle oak influences complement its mineral character, leading to a long, structured finish with impressive depth and aging potential.

A sophisticated and cellar-worthy Grand Cru Burgundy, this wine pairs beautifully with roasted duck, beef tenderloin, venison, wild mushrooms, and aged cheeses.

Recommended Drinking Window: 2030-2042

Expert Ratings

92 Burghound: A riper nose of cassis, spicy black raspberry liqueur and newly turned earth is complemented by sleek, vibrant and delicious middle weight flavors that possess an attractively textured mid-palate before terminating in a firm, youthfully austere and slightly grippy finale.

94 Jasper Morris:  ruby. Plenty of fruit on the nose, but currently a little bit swamped by the wood, especially on the palate. The fruit has the caressing texture of Bressandes, and was not picked too late. One new barrel in three, and the oak will settle down, at which point the fourth star will be merited as the fruit is fighting back strongly at the finish.

92 The Wine Spectator: Charming, elegant and harmonious, this red reveals cherry, raspberry, plum, sandalwood, licorice and toasty oak aromas and flavors. Solidly built, with great balance and a long, toasty, savory aftertaste. Give this three to five years to open up. Best from 2030 through 2048.

93 Points — John Gilman, View From the Cellar
92 Points — Wine Spectator
90–92 Points — Jasper Morris, MW, Inside Burgundy

Domaine Clos de la Chapelle’s 2023 Meursault Les Vignes Blanches is a beautifully concentrated, old-vine Chardonnay from a distinctive village-level climat situated below the celebrated Santenots vineyards. Combining the generous orchard-fruit character traditionally associated with Meursault with vibrant acidity, pale limestone minerality and finely integrated oak, this is a rich yet precise white Burgundy of remarkable depth and persistence.

The wine comes from a tiny 0.41-hectare parcel planted predominantly in 1948. Although Les Vignes Blanches is classified as Meursault Village, its old vines, individual terroir and limited production give it a personality that clearly distinguishes it from a blended village Meursault.

The Place

Meursault lies in the heart of Burgundy’s Côte de Beaune, immediately south of Volnay and north of Puligny-Montrachet. The village is internationally renowned for Chardonnay that combines richness, breadth and silky texture with fresh acidity and a distinctive mineral character.

Meursault has no Grand Cru vineyards, yet its finest Premier Cru and village-level climats produce some of Burgundy’s most complex and age-worthy white wines. The appellation’s varied marl, limestone, gravel and clay soils allow Chardonnay to express a wide range of styles, from supple and nutty to firm, citrus-driven and intensely mineral.

The Les Vignes Blanches Vineyard

Les Vignes Blanches is situated low on the Meursault slope, below Santenots and just south of the Meursault Premier Cru Santenots vineyards. It rests beneath a small rocky rise that contributes natural drainage and an unusually pronounced mineral character for this part of the slope.

The climat takes its name from the pale, gravelly limestone visible throughout the vineyard. Beneath and among this limestone is a meaningful clay component that retains water during warm, dry growing seasons. This combination gives the wine both richness and tension: clay contributes depth, texture and ripe orchard fruit, while the gravelly limestone provides freshness, salinity and mineral definition.

Many growers traditionally blend fruit from Les Vignes Blanches into a broader village-level Meursault. Domaine Clos de la Chapelle instead bottles the parcel separately to preserve its individual character and expression of place.

The Domaine’s Parcel

Domaine Clos de la Chapelle farms approximately 0.41 hectare—just over one acre—of Les Vignes Blanches. Most of the Chardonnay vines were planted in 1948, immediately following the Second World War, making them more than 75 years old at the time of the 2023 harvest.

These deeply rooted old vines naturally produce small quantities of concentrated fruit. Their extensive root systems penetrate multiple soil layers, helping the vines maintain balance during dry conditions and giving the finished wine notable depth, complexity and persistence.

The 2023 growing season demonstrated the value of the site’s water-retentive clay. According to Jasper Morris, the soils held sufficient moisture during the vintage, allowing the grapes to achieve generous ripeness while retaining adequate acidity.

The Grape: 100% Chardonnay.

Chardonnay is Burgundy’s principal white grape and an exceptionally transparent interpreter of terroir. In Les Vignes Blanches, it combines the broad texture and ripe orchard-fruit profile associated with Meursault with citrus freshness, oyster-shell salinity and a finely structured mineral finish.

Viticulture

Domaine Clos de la Chapelle’s vineyards are certified organic and are cultivated according to biodynamic principles. The estate avoids chemical pesticides and fertilizers, regularly ploughs its soils and carefully controls yields to encourage healthy vines and concentrated fruit.

The grapes are harvested by hand and sorted before pressing. The domaine’s objective is to preserve the purity of the fruit while allowing the individual soil, vine age and vintage conditions of each small parcel to remain clearly expressed in the finished wine.

Winemaking and Aging

The Chardonnay is whole-cluster pressed, followed by approximately 24 hours of settling. Fermentation and maturation take place in a combination of French oak barrel sizes, helping the wine develop texture and complexity without allowing the oak to dominate its old-vine fruit or mineral character.

The domaine may use up to 30% new oak for its white wines, with barrels sourced from several respected cooperages. Bâtonnage may be performed once per week for as long as six weeks after fermentation, or until malolactic fermentation begins.

The 2023 Les Vignes Blanches was matured for approximately 14 months in barrel. The use of different barrel sizes helps preserve freshness while contributing restrained notes of vanilla, toast and brioche. The wine is bottled approximately 15 to 18 months after harvest.

Tasting Notes

The 2023 displays a full lemon-yellow color and an expressive, layered bouquet of ripe peach, pear, yellow apple and citrus. With air, aromas of citronella, white flowers, toasted brioche, hazelnut and delicate vanilla emerge alongside a subtle reductive, mineral tension.

The palate is supple, concentrated and beautifully layered. Rich orchard fruit and ripe peach are balanced by vibrant acidity and savory notes of oyster shell and pale limestone. The old vines provide impressive mid-palate depth, while the wine’s mineral structure keeps its generous fruit precise and focused.

Notes of vanilla and toasted brioche are finely integrated into the fruit rather than dominant. The wine builds steadily across the palate, concluding with a long, refined and complex finish marked by citrus, orchard fruit, saline minerals and gentle oak spice.

This is a generous yet disciplined expression of Meursault—reminiscent of the traditional, richly textured style of the village, but supported by enough acidity and mineral tension to remain vibrant and age gracefully.

Professional Ratings

93 Points — John Gilman, View From the Cellar | John Gilman awarded the 2023 Meursault Les Vignes Blanches 93 points, recognizing it as one of the leading white wines in Domaine Clos de la Chapelle’s highly regarded 2023 collection.

92 Points — Wine Spectator: Citronella, peach, oyster shell, vanilla and toasted brioche flavors ride the supple texture in this harmonious white. Vibrant and succulent while building to the refined, complex aftertaste. Best from 2027 through 2040.

90–92 Points — Jasper Morris, MW, Inside Burgundy
Barrel Sample:  Old vines on clay soil below Santenots. A full lemon yellow, with a little reductive tension on the nose. Made in a mix of wood sizes. Nicely layered flesh and fruit on the palate, quite a rich orchard fruit, but balanced by adequate acidity These soils retained the water sufficiently in 2023. A good long finish, rather lovely and not far from old style Meursault. Barrel Sample: 90-92

The 2023 Vintage

The 2023 vintage produced generous, ripe fruit across the Côte de Beaune, but the finest sites maintained the acidity and mineral structure necessary for balance. At Les Vignes Blanches, the clay component retained valuable moisture during warm and dry periods, helping the old vines ripen steadily without losing freshness.

The result is a wine with generous fruit and textural richness, balanced by adequate acidity, limestone tension and a persistent mineral finish.

The Domaine

Domaine Clos de la Chapelle is a small, historic Burgundy estate based in Bligny-lès-Beaune and closely associated with Volnay. The domaine takes its name from the historic Volnay Premier Cru Clos de la Chapelle monopole, a walled vineyard situated opposite the Gothic chapel of Notre Dame de Pitié.

The property was acquired in 2011 by Mark O’Connell and his Burgundian partners and renamed Domaine Clos de la Chapelle in honor of its flagship vineyard. The estate now owns and farms approximately five hectares divided among 16 individual terroirs in Volnay, Pommard, Beaune, Pernand-Vergelesses, Meursault and Corton.

The vineyards are certified organic and farmed according to biodynamic principles. Grapes are harvested by hand, yields are deliberately restricted and intervention in the cellar is kept to a minimum. Total production across the entire domaine averages only approximately 1,800 cases annually.

Food Pairing

Meursault Les Vignes Blanches is an excellent accompaniment to lobster, scallops, crab, halibut, turbot, sea bass and sole meunière. Its combination of richness and acidity also pairs beautifully with roast chicken, pork tenderloin, veal in cream sauce and poultry with mushrooms.

Additional pairings include lobster ravioli, mushroom risotto, creamy pasta, roasted cauliflower and mature cheeses such as Comté, Gruyère or Délice de Bourgogne.

Serving and Cellaring

The domaine recommends serving the wine at approximately 16°C, or 61°F. It may initially be poured slightly cooler and allowed to warm gradually in the glass, revealing additional orchard fruit, hazelnut, brioche and mineral complexity.

When enjoyed young, opening the bottle approximately 30 minutes before serving will help the wine’s subtle reductive character dissipate. Its old-vine concentration, acidity and mineral structure should support graceful development through 2040.

Producer: Domaine Clos de la Chapelle
Country: France
Region: Burgundy
Subregion: Côte de Beaune
Village: Meursault
Appellation: Meursault AOC
Vineyard: Les Vignes Blanches
Classification: Village
Grape: 100% Chardonnay
Vineyard Holding: Approximately 0.41 hectare
Vine Age: Predominantly planted in 1948
Location: Below Santenots on the lower Meursault slope
Soil: Gravelly pale limestone with water-retentive clay
Farming: Certified organic; biodynamic principles
Harvest: Hand harvested
Pressing: Whole-cluster pressed
Aging: Approximately 14 months in French oak
Alcohol: 13.5%
Wine Type: Dry white wine
Bottle Size: 750ml

Domaine Clos de la Chapelle Meursault Les Vignes Blanches 2023

95 Points — Wine Spectator
94 Points — Jasper Morris, MW, Inside Burgundy

Domaine Clos de la Chapelle’s 2023 Corton-Charlemagne is a profound and exceptionally limited expression of one of Burgundy’s most celebrated white-wine vineyards. Produced entirely from Chardonnay, it combines the natural richness and power of the Corton hill with vibrant acidity, stony minerality and the remarkable precision for which the finest Corton-Charlemagne wines are known.

The Place

Corton-Charlemagne is a Grand Cru appellation situated at the northern end of Burgundy’s Côte de Beaune, where the rounded Hill of Corton rises above the villages of Aloxe-Corton, Pernand-Vergelesses and Ladoix-Serrigny. The appellation occupies the hill’s higher, cooler slopes at approximately 280 to 330 meters above sea level.

These elevated vineyards are planted on steep slopes composed of limestone, marl and thin, stony soils. The combination of altitude, exposure and mineral-rich geology gives Corton-Charlemagne its distinctive balance of concentration, freshness and long-lived structure. Although the appellation covers approximately 60 hectares currently under production, individual domaine holdings are often extremely small.

The Vineyard

Domaine Clos de la Chapelle farms just 0.30 hectare—less than one acre—of Corton-Charlemagne. Its parcel is located on the Pernand-Vergelesses side of the hill, facing west, and is planted with approximately 45-year-old Chardonnay vines. The soils contain a high proportion of limestone and marl, contributing to the wine’s firm mineral backbone, chalky texture and naturally persistent finish.

Production is correspondingly tiny, making this one of the domaine’s rarest and most sought-after bottlings.

The Grape

100% Chardonnay. Corton-Charlemagne is reserved exclusively for white Grand Cru Burgundy produced from Chardonnay. In this remarkable terroir, the grape develops considerable body and concentration while retaining the acidity, mineral tension and definition necessary for extended bottle aging.

Winemaking

Following harvest and sorting, the grapes are whole-cluster pressed. After a short settling of the juice, fermentation takes place in barrel with native yeasts. The wine is then matured in barrel for approximately 12 to 18 months, depending upon the character of the vintage, followed by a light fining before bottling.

Jasper Morris noted that the 2023 was produced from five barrels, with the fruit pressed without prior crushing and one barrel reserved for a longer period of élevage.

Tasting Notes

The 2023 opens with expansive aromas of lemon, ripe apple, fresh citrus, crushed stone and discreetly toasted oak. With air, additional notes of white flowers, orchard fruit and subtle spice begin to emerge.

The palate is broad and expressive yet beautifully controlled, supported by vibrant acidity and a firm, steely mineral backbone. Ripe citrus and apple flavors are layered with chalk, stone and finely integrated oak. There is impressive depth through the middle of the palate, followed by a long, focused and seemingly endless finish marked by freshness, chalky texture and mouthwatering mineral persistence.

This is a powerful yet precise Corton-Charlemagne: already expressive, but structured to reward patient cellaring.

Professional Ratings

95 Points Wine Spectator This white is expansive and expressive, with lemon, apple tart, citronella, stone and toasty oak aromas and flavors. Delineated by vibrant acidity, with well-integrated oak and a chalky feel on the seemingly endless finish.

94 Points — Jasper Morris, MW, Inside Burgundy 5 barrels, without crushing before pressing, one will be kept back for a longer elevage. Quite a deep yellow. The bouquet is very different to Pierre Meurgey’s Corton-Charlemagne (more or less the same fruit but some was crushed), the Clos de la Chapelle version offering more precision but less character. This version has a steely backbone, some ripe citrus, a little flesh, medium tension, apples at the back. Just needs a little more tension for the 4th star. Barrel Sample: 92-94

The Domaine

Domaine Clos de la Chapelle is based in Volnay and takes its name from the historic Volnay Premier Cru Clos de la Chapelle monopole, acquired by Victor Boillot in 1865. After remaining with the Boillot family for nearly 150 years, the estate was acquired in 2010 by Burgundy enthusiast Mark O’Connell and his Burgundian partners.

Today, the domaine cultivates approximately five hectares divided among 16 vineyards, including prized Premier Cru and Grand Cru parcels in Volnay, Pommard, Beaune, Meursault and Corton. Annual production is extremely limited, totaling approximately 2,000 cases across the entire estate.

Food Pairing and Service

Serve at approximately 54–57°F. This structured, mineral-driven white Burgundy is an exceptional partner for lobster, scallops, halibut, sea bass, crab, roast poultry, veal in cream sauce, escargots and richly textured cheeses such as Comté or Délice de Bourgogne.

While the wine may be enjoyed young with decanting, Corton-Charlemagne is renowned for its ability to develop for decades. Additional bottle age will allow its citrus, stone and oak elements to integrate while revealing more complex notes of honey, toasted nuts, truffle and spice.

Region: Burgundy, France
Subregion: Côte de Beaune
Appellation: Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru
Village Area: Pernand-Vergelesses side of the Hill of Corton
Grape: 100% Chardonnay
Vineyard Holding: 0.30 hectare
Vine Age: Approximately 45 years
Soil: Limestone and marl
Wine Type: Dry white wine
Bottle Size: 750ml

Domaine Clos de la Chapelle Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru 2023

94+ Points — John Gilman, View From the Cellar
93 Points — Wine Spectator
92 Points — Allen Meadows, Burghound

Domaine Clos de la Chapelle’s 2023 Meursault Premier Cru Charmes is a beautifully concentrated and exceptionally limited Chardonnay from one of the most celebrated Premier Cru vineyards in the Côte de Beaune. Combining the natural generosity of Charmes with finely structured acidity, mineral definition and an elegant oak influence, this is a refined, age-worthy white Burgundy produced in extremely small quantities.

The Place

Meursault is located in the heart of Burgundy’s Côte de Beaune, immediately south of Volnay and north of Puligny-Montrachet. Although the village has no Grand Cru vineyards, its finest Premier Crus produce some of the world’s most distinguished and longest-lived Chardonnay.

The Meursault appellation includes 19 officially classified Premier Cru climats. The best vineyards are generally situated at approximately 260 meters above sea level, with exposures ranging from east to south. Their soils are predominantly composed of Jurassic marl and marly limestone, with localized deposits of magnesium-rich limestone.

These soils and exposures allow Chardonnay to achieve exceptional ripeness while retaining the freshness, structure and mineral complexity essential to fine white Burgundy.

The Charmes Vineyard

Charmes is the largest of Meursault’s Premier Cru vineyards and one of its most famous. It lies in the southern portion of the appellation, adjoining the Premier Cru vineyards of Perrières and Puligny-Montrachet’s Les Combettes.

The vineyard is traditionally associated with broad, generous and naturally opulent wines. Charmes often displays a softer, more floral and gently honeyed personality than the firmer, more mineral-driven Perrières, while still possessing the structure and acidity required for extended aging.

Domaine Clos de la Chapelle’s parcel is situated in the lower part of the Charmes vineyard, an area that has responded particularly well to Burgundy’s increasingly warm and dry growing seasons.

The Domaine’s Parcel

Domaine Clos de la Chapelle farms only 0.125 hectare—approximately one-third of an acre—of Meursault Premier Cru Charmes. The Chardonnay vines were planted in 1950 and are now more than 70 years old.

The vineyard’s reddish-brown soil contains a high proportion of clay. This clay retains water and helps protect the old vines during hot, dry growing seasons, yet the parcel remains sufficiently well-drained to avoid excessively humid or disease-promoting conditions.

The tiny size of the holding results in extremely limited production, making this one of the domaine’s rarest white wines.

The Grape

100% Chardonnay. Chardonnay is Burgundy’s great white-wine grape and an exceptionally sensitive interpreter of place. In Meursault Charmes, it develops a combination of ripe orchard fruit, citrus, floral notes, toasted nuts and textural richness, balanced by fresh acidity and a distinct mineral undertone.

Winemaking and Aging

The grapes are harvested by hand and carefully sorted. The wine is traditionally vinified and matured in French oak barrels for approximately 14 months.

Barrel fermentation and aging contribute texture, complexity and subtle notes of toast and spice, while the wine’s natural acidity preserves freshness and definition. The oak is intended to frame the concentrated old-vine Chardonnay rather than overwhelm the character of the vineyard.

Tasting Notes

The 2023 Meursault Charmes opens with expressive aromas of ripe lemon, yellow apple, pear and white flowers, joined by notes of crushed stone, hazelnut and delicately integrated oak spice.

On the palate, the wine is silky and concentrated, with the natural breadth and generosity associated with Charmes. Ripe orchard fruit and citrus flavors are supported by energetic acidity, fine mineral tension and a subtle savory nuttiness.

Despite its richness, the wine remains linear, elegant and beautifully controlled. The finish is long and focused, carrying persistent notes of citrus, minerals and oak spice. This is a powerful yet graceful Meursault with the structure to develop considerable complexity in bottle.

Professional Ratings

94+ Points — John Gilman, View From the Cellar John Gilman awarded the 2023 Meursault Premier Cru Charmes 94+ points, placing it among the highest-rated wines from Domaine Clos de la Chapelle’s 2023 collection.

93 Points — Wine Spectator "Silky in texture and exuding lemon, apple, mineral and oak spice aromas and flavors, this white is linear and elegant. Defined by its bracing acidity, this extends on the citrusy and spicy aftertaste. Best from 2027 through 2039. 75 cases made, 48 cases imported."

92 Points — Allen Meadows, Burghound Allen Meadows awarded the 2023 Meursault Premier Cru Charmes 92 points, recognizing the wine’s quality, structure and expression of this renowned Premier Cru vineyard.

The Domaine

Domaine Clos de la Chapelle is based in Bligny-lès-Beaune and takes its name from the historic Volnay Premier Cru Clos de la Chapelle monopole. The walled vineyard was acquired by Victor Boillot in 1865 and remained in the Boillot family for nearly 150 years.

The estate entered a new chapter in 2010 when Burgundy enthusiast Mark O’Connell and his Burgundian partners acquired the domaine. Since then, the vineyard holdings have expanded carefully to include prized parcels in Volnay, Pommard, Beaune, Pernand-Vergelesses, Meursault and Corton.

The domaine remains extremely small, cultivating approximately five hectares divided among numerous individual vineyards. Its philosophy emphasizes meticulous vineyard work, hand harvesting, low yields and limited production, allowing each wine to express the character of its individual climat.

Food Pairing

This rich yet structured white Burgundy is an exceptional accompaniment to lobster, scallops, crab, turbot, halibut and sea bass. It also pairs beautifully with roast chicken, veal in cream sauce, mushroom risotto, foie gras and richly textured cheeses.

Its combination of depth, freshness and gentle nuttiness makes it particularly successful with grilled lobster, shellfish in butter or cream sauce, poultry with morels and aged Comté.

Serving and Cellaring

Serve cool but not overly chilled, ideally between 50 and 54°F. A young bottle may be opened approximately 30 minutes before serving to allow its aromas and texture to develop.

The wine may be enjoyed for its youthful fruit and energy, but its acidity, concentration and old-vine depth make it an excellent candidate for extended cellaring. Wine Spectator recommends drinking it from 2027 through 2039.

Producer: Domaine Clos de la Chapelle
Country: France
Region: Burgundy
Subregion: Côte de Beaune
Village: Meursault
Appellation: Meursault Premier Cru
Vineyard: Charmes
Classification: Premier Cru
Grape: 100% Chardonnay
Vineyard Holding: 0.125 hectare
Vine Age: Planted in 1950
Soil: Reddish-brown, clay-rich soil over Burgundy limestone
Aging: Approximately 14 months in barrel
Alcohol: 13.5%
Wine Type: Dry white wine
Bottle Size: 750ml

Domaine Clos de la Chapelle Meursault Premier Cru Charmes 2023