The Fixin Premier Cru Clos de la Perriere Monopole has been the defining wine of Domaine Joliet for over a century and a half, the sole reason this historic Manoir above the village of Fixin is known to wine collectors worldwide. The 6-hectare walled vineyard, first cultivated by Cistercian monks in the twelfth century, was in the nineteenth century listed alongside Chambertin and Musigny as among the greatest wines of the Cote de Nuits. The classification anomaly that placed it as premier cru rather than grand cru has been debated by scholars and enthusiasts ever since.

The 2023 vintage in Fixin, as across the Cote de Nuits, was warm and generous, producing Pinot Noir of ripe, expressive fruit and somewhat softer tannin structure than the more austere 2020 or 2017 releases. The Clos de la Perriere's unique terroir, characterised by brown iron-rich clay over limestone bedrock on a south-facing slope above Fixin village, consistently produces wines of unusual depth and mineral complexity for the appellation. Vinification follows traditional Burgundy practice, with two to three years in barrique before bottling.

Domaine Joliet's Clos de la Perriere is among Burgundy's most compelling terroir arguments for appellation reclassification: the wine's consistent quality and historical reputation suggest grand cru potential in a premier cru bottle. For buyers who understand the terroir's significance, the wine represents a rare opportunity to acquire a historically important Burgundy monopole at premier cru pricing. The 2023's warmer, more approachable character provides slightly earlier access than some previous vintages.

Cellar for five to eight years; best from 2030 to 2045. Pair with roasted Bresse chicken with morels, game bird or aged comteDecant two hours before service.

Deep ruby with good concentration and a violet edge. The nose opens slowly with dark cherry, mineral iron and limestone, dried floral notes and a hint of forest floor. The palate is medium-full bodied with firm, well-structured tannins, lively acidity and an impressively long, mineral-driven finish. The Clos de la Perriere's terroir makes itself felt clearly even in a generous vintage.