Our Stories

Simone

Simone’s divine 55 rows of vines may only make up three per cent of Clos Marey-Monge, but they shelter a terroir that is a true Burgundy treasure. An exceptional terroir for a enchanting wine, Simone is the estate’s most complex cuvée. It is distinguished by an exemplary balance and complexity. 

THE SOUL OF CLOS MAREY-MONGE

Sitting at 248 metres above sea level, the highest altitude in the vineyard as it inclines gently into the hills of Pommard behind, Simone may be small (just 0.5ha) but she delivers a world-class quality. Running parallel to the Route des Grands Crus, it’s fitting that Simone’s terroir is equal to grand crus Côte de Nuits appellations, Richebourg and Musigny, as proven by scientific analysis conducted in 2009. With one of the highest recorded clay densities in Burgundy, a measurement of more than 730m2/g resulting in a visually striking multi-layered strata of clay-limestone, soil, sand and silt, Simone’s 55 rows are also home to some of the oldest vines in Clos Marey-Monge. Only these vines, from this terroir, produce Simone, our limited edition cuvée, a wine reserved for only truly exceptional vintages.


Sala in Simone:
Emmanuel discusses Simone’s terroir on a Wine Experience

HIGHEST CLAY DENSITY LEVEL

When oenologists, pedologists and wine connoisseurs talk of magnificent terroir, they’re talking about Simone. Between each multi-strata of Simone’s soils and subsoils – sacred ground – reside all the nutrients that the vines need to grow and flourish. The more layers the vine has to feed from, the more sustenance the vine will find for growth. This will lead to the development of tannins, anthocyanins and all the chemical compounds that characterise the classic tastes and flavors of Burgundy’s greatest Pinot Noirs.

Simone’s grand introduction to the world began in 1855, when Dr Jules Lavalle, a leading authority on Burgundy terroir, published his History and Statistics of the Great Wines of the Côte d’Or, a now-renowned classification of the region’s soils. It was Lavalle who identified and certified the plots now known as Simone and Chantrerie.
But, despite the validation that scientific analysis brings, questions around Simone still remains unsolved. She’s still a mystery.


22 January:
St Vincent’s Day, the first day of pruning, is always celebrated in Simone

After all these years, the team at Château de Pommard still don’t know the inspiration or provenance of the name Simone. Who was she? What was her personality like? What did she do to inspire such a magnificent wine? And whom did she inspire?
We have all these questions. And that’s the true beauty of Simone. We know so much about her, and yet she remains a puzzle waiting to be solved.


Shocking Results: 
Emmanuel discusses the results of our soundwave analysis of Clos Marey-Monge

ANTOINE LEPETIT DE LA BIGNE

To reconnect the Clos with its ancient roots, winemaker, Emmanuel, in collaboration with oenologist and agronomic specialist, Antoine Lepetit de la Bigne, have begun the conversion to Biodynamic viticulture and is currently trialing it Simone and Chantrerie. Visitors can watch in awe as a Mickey, our giant horse, ploughs and tumbles the terroir. But horse-ploughing the soils is not all we do. With biodynamic viticulture, every day brings something new to see out in the Clos. It’s a very demanding, complex and strict process, but one that will produce many fruitful rewards. From herbal sprays and traditional composting methods (such as horn manure), to studiously following the four lunar calendar days – Leaf, Fruit, Flower and Root, by adhering to the mechanics and methods of this winemaking tradition, Château de Pommard is securing the health and fitness of Clos Marey-Monge for many generations to come.


Biodynamic Viticulture:
 Emmanuel and Antoine Lepetit de la Bigne

Terroir Composition


0cm
Lumpy brown limestone soil

Clay 34%, Silt 32%, Sand 33%
Large internal surface area: 589m2/g

10cm

Lumpy brown clay-limestone soil

30cm

Red limestone soil

50cm

Saprolite rich in decalcification clay

Clay 32%, Silt 24%, Sand 43%

Large internal surface area: 736m2/g

60cm

Limestone rocks from the Dheune Valley dejection cone

 

 

 

 

 

 

Simone

Area 0.5370ha (44a 10 ca)

Rows 55

Planted 1986

Percentage of Clos Marey-Monge 3%

Pruning Method Guyot-Poussard


What A Difference A Clay Makes:
Simone (left) and Chantrerie share the same DNA


Seven Terroirs:
 The plot map of Clos Marey-Monge