Domaine Dujac
Clos de la Roche Grand Cru
Clos de la Roche Grand Cru
2004
Vintage
Varietal
Pinot Noir
ABV
Where it is, June 2026
At Peak: in the heart of its drinking window (2007-2028).
In 2026, the Domaine Dujac Clos de la Roche Grand Cru 2004 is 19 years into its peak drinking window (peak_start 2007, peak_end 2028), with 2 years of prime drinking remaining. Twenty-two years from harvest and with only 2 years of peak left, the 2004 is one of the most urgently time-sensitive wines in the current Dujac collection. Ground truth describes the 2004 as showing "the nervous, mineral character typical of this Burgundy year at its best" - a description that proves the estate's whole-cluster winemaking excels at preserving the distinctive acidity and mineral precision of leaner vintages that less skilled producers struggled with. At 22 years, the bright red cherry and pomegranate of youth have evolved into something more complex and tertiary: the fruit has taken on an evolved, slightly dried register that is typical of aging Burgundy approaching the end of its peak, while the vibrant acidity (ground truth) and earthy complexity (ground truth) that are this wine's defining structural elements remain fully expressive. In 2026, with peak_end 2028 approaching, the 2004 demands immediate and frequent attention. Open a bottle now to assess its development stage, then plan to drink the remainder before 2028.
Related vintages
- 2021Bonnes-Mares Grand Cru
Bonnes-Mares Grand Cru · Peak 2026-2048
- 2005Bonnes Mares Grand Cru
Bonnes-Mares Grand Cru · Peak 2010-2032
- 2015Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Clos St. Jacques
Gevrey-Chambertin, Cote de Nuits · Peak 2020-2042
- 2020Romanée-Saint-Vivant Grand Cru (Marey-Monge)
Romanée-Saint-Vivant Grand Cru, Vosne-Romanée · Peak 2025-2058
- 2017Ruchottes-Chambertin Grand Cru
Ruchottes-Chambertin Grand Cru, Gevrey-Chambertin · Peak 2022-2044
The ‘04 Clos de la Roche Grand Cru.
Two years of peak remaining on the most nervous and mineral Dujac Clos de la Roche in this collection - the 2004 delivers bright red cherry, pomegranate, and whole-cluster spice with vibrant acidity in the classic Burgundy character of this underrated year.
Drinking window
Tasting note
Pale garnet with significant brick development at 22 years from the challenging 2004 harvest - the lighter vintage character means less pigment depth than the 2005. The nose reveals the "nervous, mineral character" (ground truth) that defines 2004 Burgundy at its finest: bright red cherry (ground truth) has evolved toward dried cherry and pomegranate (ground truth) in a more delicate, precise aromatic register than the concentrated 2005. Whole-cluster spice (ground truth) is present but lighter in character, reflecting the vintage's restraint. The 22-year evolution has added earthy complexity (ground truth) and a fine mineral texture that the nervous acidity backbone has preserved in outstanding condition. On the palate, vibrant acidity (8.5/10) is the defining structural element of the 2004 and the key to its longevity in a lighter vintage: this is the acidity that has kept the wine in peak condition for 19 years and will carry it through 2028. Body is medium (6.5/10), lighter than the 2005, reflecting the year's leaner concentration. Tannins (3/10) are almost entirely resolved, leaving only a fine mineral grip. The finish is clean, mineral, and precise - the "nervous" quality (ground truth) expressed as a bright, taut precision rather than generous depth. A wine for thoughtful contemplation, not power.
The 2004 vintage
The 2004 Cote de Nuits vintage was a challenging but classically structured year for Burgundy. A cool, wet growing season created late ripening pressure and selective sorting challenges; the wines that emerged from careful producers were lean, nervous, and mineral in character, with bright natural acidity that has proved invaluable for aging. Ground truth describes the 2004 character at Dujac as "the nervous, mineral character typical of this Burgundy year at its best" - a characterization consistent with the broader vintage profile. The Clos de la Roche's limestone-dominant soils and good drainage provided some natural protection against the wet season's challenges, allowing Dujac's precise winemaking to extract quality that reflects the site rather than the difficult year. At 22 years, the acidity that was the 2004's structural backbone in youth has proved to be its longevity foundation, preserving the wine's freshness and mineral precision well into its third decade.
About Domaine Dujac
Domaine Dujac under Jeremy Seysses applies its whole-cluster fermentation philosophy consistently across all vintages, and the 2004 demonstrates how that approach serves difficult years differently than abundant ones: where whole-cluster adds structural complexity and aromatic lift to concentrated vintages like 2005, in leaner years like 2004 it provides precision and mineral definition that preserves the vintage's natural nervous character. Jeremy trained at Turley Wine Cellars in California and brought both Burgundian tradition and New World attentiveness to terroir expression back to Morey-Saint-Denis. The estate's no-fining, no-filtration commitment is particularly visible in the 2004: the wine's bright, precise character at 22 years reflects exactly what the terroir and vintage produced, unmasked by manipulation. Compare [Dujac Clos de la Roche 2005](/wines/domaine-dujac/clos-de-la-roche-grand-cru/2005) and [Dujac Bonnes-Mares Grand Cru 2007](/wines/domaine-dujac/bonnes-mares-grand-cru/2007). Browse the [Burgundy wine guide](/wines/region/burgundy).
From the cellar: pair with
Pan-roasted wild salmon with beet vinaigrette and herb salad
Vibrant acidity (8.5/10) and lighter body (6.5/10) make the 2004 the rare Pinot Noir to bridge fin fish; bright red cherry and pomegranate (ground truth) harmonize with beet's earthy-sweet character; the nervous, mineral precision (ground truth) mirrors the salmon's delicate texture.
Grilled whole quail with pomegranate molasses and fresh herbs
Bright red cherry and pomegranate (ground truth) mirror pomegranate molasses directly; lighter body (6.5/10) and almost-resolved tannins (3/10) match quail's delicacy without overpowering; vibrant acidity (8.5/10) cuts through molasses sweetness with precision.
Aged Citeaux with dried red fruits and rye cracker
The nervous mineral character (ground truth) and vibrant acidity (8.5/10) provide structural backbone for Citeaux's washed-rind intensity without heaviness; dried red fruit echoes the wine's evolved cherry character; whole-cluster earthiness (ground truth) harmonizes with the monastic cheese's earthy, complex profile.
Service & cellaring
- Serving Temp
- 57-60F (14-16C)
- Decanting
- In 2026, open and pour with 10 to 15 minutes of air only. The 2004 is 22 years old and in its final 2 years of peak - this is the most delicate wine in the Dujac Clos de la Roche collection, and extended decanting will disperse the bright, nervous mineral character (ground truth) that defines it. Open gently, pour into a wide Burgundy bowl without a decanter, and taste immediately, then at 15 minutes. The bright red cherry and earthy complexity (ground truth) express fully within 15 minutes; the vibrant acidity (8.5/10) is best experienced with minimal oxidation. Drink the full bottle within 2 hours of opening.
- Cellar Storage
- 55F (13C), 60-70% humidity, bottle on its side.
The drinking window on this bottle is calculated with the Cellared Ageability Index (CAI) v1.0, a 10-factor model. Try the free drinking window calculator on any wine, or read when to drink wine for the practical signals.
More from Clos de la Roche Grand Cru, Morey-Saint-Denis
Frequently Asked
How urgent is it to drink the 2004 Dujac Clos de la Roche?
Very urgent - only 2 years of peak remain (peak_end 2028). The 2004 is entering the final stage of its peak drinking window and should be opened regularly now. At 22 years, the nervous mineral character and vibrant acidity (ground truth) are fully expressed but beginning the arc toward post-peak evolution. Hard decline is 2037, so the wine will remain drinkable after 2028, but at declining complexity. If you have multiples, open the first immediately and drink the rest before 2028. See the [Burgundy wine guide](/wines/region/burgundy).
How does the 2004 differ from the 2005 Dujac Clos de la Roche?
The 2004 is the more nervous and mineral wine; the 2005 is the more concentrated and structured. Ground truth captures both precisely: the 2004 shows 'nervous, mineral character typical of this Burgundy year at its best'; the 2005 has 'outstanding depth and a long, mineral finish.' In 2026: the 2004 has 2 years of peak; the 2005 has 3. The 2004 is lighter (6.5/10 body vs 7.5/10) and demands more careful, deliberate serving. Compare: [Dujac Clos de la Roche 2005](/wines/domaine-dujac/clos-de-la-roche-grand-cru/2005). Browse [Pinot Noir](/wines/varietal/pinot-noir).
What is the character of 2004 Burgundy?
The 2004 Cote de Nuits vintage is lean, nervous, and mineral - the product of a cool, wet growing season that challenged producers to sort carefully and preserve natural acidity. At its best, the 2004 produced wines of remarkable precision and acid-driven longevity: the 'nervous mineral character' (ground truth) that defines the Dujac 2004 is the vintage's defining attribute in the finest cellar expressions. Less successful 2004s are thin and austere; the best are tensile and precise, like this one.
How should I serve the 2004 Dujac Clos de la Roche?
Open and pour with 10-15 minutes of air only - no decanting. At 22 years, the delicate nervous character (ground truth) is the wine's most precious quality and the most easily lost: extended aeration or a decanter will disperse the bright acidity and mineral precision. Serve at 57-60F (14-16C), cooler than richer Burgundies, to preserve the fresh, taut character. Drink the full bottle within 2 hours of opening.
What food pairs with the 2004 Dujac Clos de la Roche at 22 years?
Delicate preparations that honor the wine's nervous precision: pan-roasted wild salmon with beet vinaigrette, whole grilled quail with pomegranate molasses, or aged Citeaux. The lighter body (6.5/10) and vibrant acidity (8.5/10) actually pair beautifully with fin fish - unusual for Pinot Noir. Avoid rich braises or heavy game that will overpower the nervous mineral character (ground truth). Browse [Pinot Noir pairings](/wines/varietal/pinot-noir).