Wine's world

The latest Saint-Emilion classification (2022) confirmed Clos Fourtet's rank as a 1er Grand Cru Classé.

At the same time, the INAO has given its approval for the merger of Clos Fourtet and Château Les Grandes Murailles under the single name of Clos Fourtet. The merger of the two properties will be effective as of the 2022 harvest, resulting in the disappearance of the Grandes Murailles label during the next Primeurs campaign.

The two properties have always been closely linked, first by their geographical proximity (the Grandes Murailles parcel is adjacent to the Clos Fourtet vines), and then by the acquisition in 2013 of Château Les Grandes Murailles by the Cuvelier family, already owners of Clos Fourtet. Since then, although vinified separately, the two wines have benefited from the same constant care and expertise by Matthieu Cuvelier's team.

The great typicity of the Grandes Murailles wines (asteriated limestone terroir, 100% merlot, 30+ year old vines) will bring a little extra uprightness and elegance to the future blends of Clos Fourtet, which is already one of the most refined wines in the area!

The Hospices de Beaune sales last Sunday reached the record sum of 29.0 M€ for 802 barrels, blowing away the previous record dating from 2018 at 13.9 M€ for 828 barrels.

This means a twofold increase in price in 4 years (exactly 115%), considering that the two vintages sold, 2018 and 2022, are of comparable quality.

We can certainly see here the increased generosity of buyers for this charity (Beaune hospital), but also the insatiable craze of the whole World for the great wines of Burgundy, and especially Côte d'Or.

In the same vein, the latest ranking of winesearcher.com is edifying: among the 50 most expensive wines in the world, 45 are from Burgundy (and none from Bordeaux, nor even Petrus or Le Pin). Moreover, Burgundy holds the first 8 places in the ranking with Domaines Leroy, d'Auvenay, de la Romanée-Conti, Georges Roumier and Leflaive.

* Côte d'Or, which is the name of the department where the great Burgundian vineyards are located, literally means "golden hill".