Experiencing the Lunch Service at Tour d’Argent

At the legendary restaurant Tour d’Argent, the surprise pairing with the lunch menu was none other than — Domaine Dujac Clos de la Roche 2009! 🪨 The vineyard Clos de la Roche, Burgundy’s “Stone Garden” As one of the core grand cru vineyards in the Côte de Nuits, it’s famous for its limestone soil and steep slopes. The unique mineral quality and profound structure are its soul. The vineyard is composed of multiple Climats, and the part owned by Dujac is located in the heart of the area, with vines over 50 years old. The deep-rooted old vines give the wine a concentrated fruitiness and a flint-like mineral tension. 🍇Domaine Dujac, a pioneer in Burgundy In 1967, Jacques Seysses abandoned the family biscuit business to acquire a small winery in Morey-Saint-Denis and establish Dujac. He learned from Aubert de Villaine, the owner of DRC, integrating the “terroir-first” philosophy into his bloodline. Dujac is known for its whole cluster fermentation (retaining the stems for added complexity) and for practicing organic and biodynamic methods. In 2008, the entire vineyard was certified organic. The winery is meticulous with barrels, aging grand cru wines for 18 months in 100% new oak barrels, but the wood and fruit flavors are perfectly balanced, with no harshness. The “Little DRC” reputation: Dujac’s Clos de la Roche is often compared to a more accessible version of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti. The 1978 vintage was once on par with La Tâche in a blind tasting, and its auction prices have set records. ☀️The year 2009, a “vintage of the century” in Burgundy, with a warm and dry summer that allowed the Pinot Noir to ripen fully, bursting with fruitiness. Current owner Jeremy, Jacques’ son, describes the 2009 vintage as having “exceptionally high fruit maturity, yet with lively acidity, like a precisely controlled volcanic eruption.” 🍷Time to drink 👁️Ruby red with brick-colored edges 👃Initially reserved, it slowly opens up after half an hour, like a blooming flower bud: dry rose, ripe black cherry, wild strawberry, truffle, smoked leather, flint, and wet moss minerals, complex as a Burgundy autumn forest. 👄The mouthfeel is full and juicy, with tannins like velvet wrapping the tongue, lively acidity, grand structure yet light. The finish lasts a minute, with black chocolate and savory minerals intertwining, like a symphony on the tongue. 🦆The classic duck breast at Tour d’Argent pairs perfectly with this wine! The fat of the duck meat softens the tannins, while the wine’s minerality highlights the wild aroma of the duck. Tipsy Summary This bottle of Clos de la Roche 2009 is a dance of nature and craftsmanship, a concerto of terroir and vintage. Under the centuries-old dome of Tour d’Argent, it taught me what it means to “drink a drop of Burgundy and swallow the soul of a piece of land.” Dujac’s Clos de la Roche has a limited production of just a few thousand bottles, and the winery’s allocation system means very little is available on the market. Plus, the 2009 is in its drinking window, and it was the last bottle at the restaurant! In short, drinking it is a gain! #food #FrenchCuisine #ParisCuisine #Paris