Gerard Raphet Clos-Vougeot Grand Cru 2018

Gerard Raphet Clos-Vougeot Grand Cru 2018 is a 750ml Burgundy Grand Cru red wine made from 100% Pinot Noir, bottled at approximately 13% ABV. Sourced from century-old vines within the prestigious Clos de Vougeot vineyard, this cuvée is bottled unfined and unfiltered — a hallmark of Domaine Gerard Raphet's commitment to uncompromised terroir expression.

Quick Facts: ABV: ~13%  |  Origin: Côte de Nuits, Burgundy, France  |  Vintage: 2018  |  Domaine: Gerard Raphet, Morey-Saint-Denis

Production & Heritage

Domaine Gerard Raphet, formerly known as Domaine Jean Raphet, is a family estate based in Morey-Saint-Denis that has passed winemaking knowledge from generation to generation across four generations — notably without formal enology training. Their Clos de Vougeot holdings include vines that average well over a century in age, contributing remarkable concentration and depth. The grapes are hand-harvested, fermented on indigenous yeasts in tank, then aged for approximately 18 months in predominantly older French oak barrels with roughly 15% new oak. Light extraction techniques and the decision to bottle without fining or filtration allow the vineyard's character to come through with minimal intervention.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with earthy minerality before giving way to a distinctive potpourri of cinnamon, clove, and incense. Ripe red and black berries emerge underneath, lending a perfumed complexity that sets it apart from more conventionally fruity Burgundies.

Taste: On entry, the palate reveals black cherry fruit laced with baking spice and a subtle earthiness. At mid-palate, the wine's fine-grained tannins create a suave, structured texture that carries the fruit without overwhelming it. The 2018 vintage's warmth provides generous ripeness, though the old-vine concentration keeps the wine taut and focused.

Finish: The finish is moderately long, marked by lingering spice, mineral, and dark fruit undertones. A gentle grip from the tannins provides backbone without astringency, tapering into an elegant, earthy close.

How to Drink Clos-Vougeot 2018

This Grand Cru is best served slightly below room temperature (60–64°F) in a large-bowled Burgundy glass. Decanting for 30–60 minutes helps the aromatics fully unfold, particularly given the wine's unfined, unfiltered character. As a still wine of Grand Cru stature, it is intended for drinking neat rather than as a cocktail component. Pairing it with food is the ideal complement to its structure — see pairings below.

Best For

• Gifting a serious Burgundy collector on a milestone occasion
• Anchoring a multi-course dinner featuring game or aged cheese
• Cellaring for long-term aging — the 2018 vintage has strong aging potential through at least 2030–2035
• Exploring old-vine Clos de Vougeot terroir from a less commercially driven domaine

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Gerard Raphet Clos-Vougeot taste like? It delivers earthy black cherry and baking spice flavors framed by fine-grained tannins, with an unusual aromatic signature of cinnamon, clove, and incense rather than the more typical Burgundian violet notes.

How does Gerard Raphet Clos-Vougeot compare to Méo-Camuzet Clos de Vougeot? Domaine Méo-Camuzet is widely considered a benchmark producer in Clos de Vougeot, typically offering bolder extraction and more new oak influence. Gerard Raphet takes a lighter-touch approach with minimal new oak (around 15%) and no fining or filtration, producing a more transparent, terroir-driven style that rewards patient attention.

Is Gerard Raphet Clos-Vougeot good for cellaring? Yes — old-vine concentration combined with fine tannin structure gives the 2018 vintage strong aging potential, and it should develop additional complexity through at least the early to mid-2030s with proper storage.

Where is Gerard Raphet Clos-Vougeot made? The wine is produced by Domaine Gerard Raphet, based in Morey-Saint-Denis in the Côte de Nuits subregion of Burgundy, France. The Clos de Vougeot vineyard itself is a walled 50-hectare Grand Cru site in the commune of Vougeot, originally established by Cistercian monks in the 12th century.

What foods pair well with Gerard Raphet Clos-Vougeot 2018? Roast duck breast pairs beautifully, as its richness complements the wine's earthy depth. Braised rabbit with herbs echoes the spice-driven aromatics. Aged Époisses or Comté cheese amplifies the mineral and savory notes. Mushroom risotto or truffle dishes mirror the wine's earthy undertones. Roasted squab or guinea fowl provides a classic Burgundian match for the fine tannin structure.

What sizes does Gerard Raphet Clos-Vougeot come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle, which is the most widely available format for this Grand Cru.

Is Gerard Raphet Clos-Vougeot worth the price? It positions as a premium Grand Cru Burgundy, though Domaine Gerard Raphet generally sits at a more accessible price point than the most celebrated Clos de Vougeot producers like Méo-Camuzet or Leroy. For drinkers seeking authentic, minimally manipulated old-vine Grand Cru expression, it represents genuine value within the category.

Why Gerard Raphet Clos-Vougeot 2018?

What distinguishes this wine is the combination of century-old vines and a rigorously non-interventionist winemaking philosophy passed down through four generations without formal enological training. The use of indigenous yeasts, predominantly older oak, and no fining or filtration results in a Grand Cru that speaks more of vineyard than cellar. In a warm, generous vintage like 2018, that transparency is especially compelling — the wine has concentration and ripeness but channels it through a lens of spice and earth rather than raw fruit power. For collectors and Burgundy enthusiasts who value provenance and authenticity over polish, this is a quietly serious bottle from one of Clos de Vougeot's less commercially driven estates.