Hautes-Côtes de Nuits Rouge Fontaine Saint Martin Monopole 2023 – Domaine Michel Gros

The character of Pinot Noir on the heights of the Côte de Nuits

The Hautes-Côtes de Nuits Rouge Fontaine Saint Martin Monopole 2023 by Domaine Michel Gros is a Burgundy red wine that captures the fresher, more vibrant side of Pinot Noir. Sourced from a vineyard exclusively owned by the estate, it combines expressive fruit, aromatic finesse and an elegant structure, with freshness and fine tannins shaping a balanced and harmonious palate.

The Fontaine Saint Martin vineyard lies in the hills above the Côte de Nuits, in the commune of Meuilley, at an altitude of approximately 350–390 metres. Here, marl, clay and limestone soils, together with a cooler climate than that of the lower slopes, favour a style of Pinot Noir defined by freshness, aromatic precision and finesse.

The winemaker’s notes

What I particularly appreciate about Fontaine Saint Martin 2023 is the way it expresses Pinot Noir through freshness and delicacy, while retaining the depth associated with Burgundy reds.

The nose reveals red berries, particularly cherry and raspberry, complemented by floral nuances and subtle spicy and earthy notes. On the palate, the wine is fresh and balanced, with fine, well-integrated tannins. The fruit flows naturally across the palate, while its lively acidity and mineral character add definition and persistence to the finish.

This is a Pinot Noir that favours elegance over sheer power, showing how the regional appellations of the Hautes-Côtes can also deliver wines with a distinctive personality.

— Yuri Stefani

Why we selected it

Fontaine Saint Martin Monopole offers an appealing interpretation of Burgundy, combining the signature of an established producer such as Michel Gros with the distinctive character of a vineyard situated at altitude.

The estate’s exclusive ownership gives this cuvée a clear identity. Here, Pinot Noir benefits from conditions that favour a fresh and refined expression, with vibrant fruit, floral nuances and delicate tannins.

The 2023 vintage offers an opportunity to discover a different side of the Côte de Nuits, beyond its celebrated village and Premier Cru vineyards: a style focused less on concentration and more on finesse, balance and drinkability.

The terroir

The Fontaine Saint Martin vineyard is located in Meuilley, within the Hautes-Côtes de Nuits appellation, in the hills to the west of the Côte de Nuits.

At an altitude of approximately 350–390 metres, the vineyard benefits from cooler conditions than those found in the lower-lying vineyards. Its soils contain marl, clay and limestone, contributing to the structure and expression of Pinot Noir.

The term Monopole means that the vineyard is entirely owned by a single producer. In this case, it belongs to Domaine Michel Gros, making the wine closely connected to the estate's own interpretation of this particular terroir.

The winery

Domaine Michel Gros is a family estate with a long history in Vosne-Romanée, at the heart of the Côte de Nuits. The Gros family has been established in the area since the first half of the nineteenth century and has built a reputation for expressing Pinot Noir and Burgundy's distinctive terroirs.

Fontaine Saint Martin is one of the family's exclusively owned vineyards, planted with both Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The red cuvée is made from 100% Pinot Noir.

Available technical information on the Domaine describes a traditional Burgundian approach to winemaking, involving destemming, maceration and punching down, followed by ageing in oak. The ageing process includes an initial period in large oak casks, followed by maturation in previously used traditional barrels. This approach allows the wine to develop complexity while keeping its fruit at the forefront.

Technical details

Producer: Domaine Michel Gros

Wine: Hautes-Côtes de Nuits Rouge Fontaine Saint Martin Monopole 2023

Appellation: Bourgogne Hautes-Côtes de Nuits AOC

Classification: Regional Burgundy appellation

Vintage: 2023

Grape variety: 100% Pinot Noir

Region: Meuilley, Hautes-Côtes de Nuits, Burgundy, France

Vineyard: Fontaine Saint Martin, a monopole owned by Domaine Michel Gros

Altitude: Approximately 350–390 metres

Soil: Marl, clay and limestone

Winemaking: Traditional Burgundian methods; consult the producer's technical sheet for vintage-specific details

Ageing: Oak; duration and proportion of new oak to be confirmed for the vintage

Alcohol: Approximately 13% ABV, to be confirmed on the bottle label

Contains sulphites

In the glass

Colour

Bright, intense ruby red, with violet highlights in its youth.

Nose

Cherry, raspberry and red berries, complemented by floral nuances, subtle spice and hints of forest floor. The aromatic profile retains a sense of freshness and precision.

Palate

Fresh, elegant and balanced. Juicy fruit is supported by lively acidity and fine tannins, creating a smooth, well-defined structure. A mineral character adds tension, while the finish is persistent, with delicate spicy nuances.

Food pairings

Its freshness and delicate tannic structure make it a versatile partner for flavourful dishes that are not excessively rich, allowing the character of Pinot Noir to shine.

• Roast duck with red berries

• Herb-roasted guinea fowl

• Rabbit with mustard

• Pork tenderloin with herbs

• Veal with mushrooms

• Roast quail

• Wild mushroom risotto

• Tagliatelle with white meat ragù

• Sautéed porcini mushrooms

• Washed-rind and medium-aged cheeses

Serving temperature: 15–16°C.