2024 Gevrey Chambertin 1er Cru La Romanée Monopole, Domaine du Couvent

This is a vineyard that you probably have not tasted before. It’s a monopole of about a hectare in size, further back in the valley, beyond the Saint-Jacques of Lavaux, Clos and Estournelles, above Veroilles and well protected just below the trees. There is very little soil here and what there is, is quite sandy with a spring under the vineyard. But it drains well, so even in a vintage not short on precipitation, it remains very workable. It’s a fairly cool site and is often the last parcel to be picked, though, as the climate has changed over the past generation, so the phenolic ripeness has intensified and it’s now recognised as a good spot, which is perhaps why it’s finally becoming better known. Stylistically, the ’24, which saw about 20% new oak, has a fairly linear character, with a very appealing purple, crunchy fragrance to it, which exudes purity and Pinot punctuation. Very pretty and very salivating. Drink from 2031