Vinelights
Cliffside Vineyard. Signature Barrel. Just 900 Bottles.
From the upper slopes of Morey-Saint-Denis, Pierre Virant is a wine of altitude and attitude. Planted at 270m on compact Bathonian limestone above the Grand Cru, Clos Saint-Denis, this tiny plot clings to the edge of a cliff and enjoys its own cool microclimate. The vines are planted North to South, rather than the usual East to West, capturing the morning and evening sun while avoiding the full heat of the day—preserving incredible freshness and aromatic lift.
The result? Pure finesse: blackberries, strawberries, crushed pepper, and a mineral thread that runs straight through the finish.
Taken from the top of ‘Pierre Virant’, showing the vines planted North to South, looking down the hill to the left you can see the Grand Cru ‘Clos St-Denis’.
The Zébra Barrel
Created just for the domaine by Tonnellerie Rousseau, the “Zébra” blends alternating oak staves—one lightly toasted, one barely touched. The result is a whisper of oak, not a shout. Just enough to add texture, not mask terroir. It’s a masterstroke.
Technical
100% Pinot Noir from 45-year-old vines. 30% whole bunch. Cold maceration for 5 days at 8°C. Gentle extraction (4 punch-downs, mostly pumpovers). Aged 12 months in oak barrels (30% new, including Zébra). No filtration. 900 bottles + 15 magnums produced.
