Domaine Prieure Roch - 2023 Vintage
2023 Vintage Release
UK Official Release | Wine Source Exclusive
The 2023 vintage at Domaine Prieuré Roch is one of remarkable precision and vibrant energy. After the concentration of recent years, 2023 marks a return to a classic Burgundian profile: wines characterized by high-toned aromatics, crystalline fruit, and a notable freshness that honours the singular terroir of each climat.
A Note on the Vintage
A vintage where delicious wines were made across the range, achieving a notable freshness without the weight of some recent warm vintages. The growing season allowed for slow phenolic ripening, resulting in Pinot Noirs with exquisite tension and the signature "DPR" aromatic lift.
As the UK’s official distributor, we are delighted to present this release directly from the Domaine's cellars. Given the global demand and the limited production inherent to the Prieuré Roch philosophy, these wines are offered on a strict allocation basis.
The 2023 Growing Season
When the team at Domaine Prieuré Roch reflects on the 2023 vintage, they speak of a year that stands apart without a clear point of comparison. It was a season defined by a gentle start, a patient wait, and a sudden, dramatic ripening that set the stage for an intense and rewarding harvest.
The year began with a relatively mild spring, avoiding the frosts that can decimate a crop. As summer progressed, all signs pointed to an early harvest. However, the vines had a different story to tell. On August 30th, maturity analyses revealed grapes barely reaching 10% potential alcohol. In response, the domaine made the crucial decision to postpone, choosing to listen to the vines rather than the calendar.
This patience was rewarded with a near-miraculous transformation. When harvesting began on September 9th, the fruit had gained 3 to 4% in potential alcohol in just ten days—a stunning, compressed ripening that the domaine describes as entirely atypical.
The Harvest: An Herculean Effort
This rapid maturity presented a logistical challenge: all 22 hectares reached peak maturity simultaneously. This necessitated a Herculean effort, resulting in a new harvest record as the entire estate was picked in just eight days.
Despite the speed, precision was paramount. The primary challenges were sunburned grapes, requiring extreme vigilance. A rigorous initial selection in the vineyard was followed by a second, meticulous sorting at the winery. For Prieuré Roch's sulfur-free winemaking, this dual sorting is non-negotiable; the risk of compromised fruit is simply too great.
The Vinification: Adapting to Change
In the cellar, the vintage continued to express its unique character. The domaine has observed that yeast strains are changing, likely influenced by broader shifts in climate. These increasingly aggressive yeasts now ferment at higher temperatures; in 2023, some tanks peaked at a precarious 40°C.
This reality demands constant adaptation to manage these vigorous fermentations. Despite this intensity, macerations were swift, lasting between 10 and 18 days—notably short for the domaine’s usual style.
The Wines: Purity and Complexity
The 2023 wines have achieved lower alcohol levels than both the 2022 and 2020 vintages. At this youthful point, the wines are intensely fruit-forward, a character defined by the domaine's signature use of whole-cluster fermentation, which imparts a fresh, vibrant character to these emotional wines.
The true depth of this vintage is still unfolding, but there is clear-eyed confidence at the domaine. The juices are of the highest quality—alive, expressive, and honest to their terroir. They are the fruit of a year that rewarded patience, expressing a unique voice that will resonate with friends of the Domaine.
