Domaine d'Eugénie

Domaine d'Eugénie is the reincarnation of the famed Domaine Engel. After the tragic death of Phillipe Engel in 2005, the wine estate was purchased by and run by Frédéric Engerer of Château Latour with the assistance of local vigneron Michel Mallard.

Already in the first two years have shown how much can be achieved by precise attention to detail. A lot of work has gone into restoring the vineyards to prime condition, replacing missing vines and reducing yields. The attention to detail in the cellar is equally impeccable: currently the wines are made in Nuits St Georges though the 2009 harvest will be vinified in recently purchased cellars now being revamped in Vosne Romanée.

Yields are significantly lower than in Philippe’s day and the vineyards have been meticulously looked after, including a substantial programme of replacing missing individual vines, which will be picked separately and declassified into the village Vosne in their youth.
 
The principal decision is whether or not to keep any stems. None were retained in 2006, but an experiment with one of the two fermentation tanks of Clos de Vougeot the following year was positive, the blend of half with and half without stems showing textural qualities and a sense of energy over and above either individual version. The experiment has been continued in 2008 and extended to the Grands Echezeaux.
 
Otherwise, the grapes are vinified in fairly classical manner, with a preference for punching down rather than pumping over, then matured in barrel for a minimum of 15 months (village Vosne), or rather longer for the grands crus which receive around 80% of new wood.

The first vintage released by the Domaine was in 2006. The highly impressive 2007 vintage is a truly representative vintage for Domaine Eugenie, showing each of the vineyards in its true guise.


Grands Echezeaux Grand Cru                             0.50 ha
Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru                                 1.37 ha
Echezeaux Grand Cru                                            0.55 ha
Vosne Romanée 1er Cru Les Brûlées               1.05 ha
Vosne Romanée                                                     2.50 ha
 
Vosne Romanée 1er Cru Les Brûlées            
Domaine d’Eugénie have plots on both sides of the road which cuts Les Brûlées into two, but there was a lot of work needed in the vineyard when the new team took over in 2006. Potentially a heady Vosne Romanée that retains finesse.
 
Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru                         
Superbly situated in the top left corner of the Clos, in the part known as Les Marets Hauts, predominantly old vines. Excellent results have emerged from vinifying obne cuvee with stems and the other without, and blending the two.