1990 Alain Burguet Gevrey-Chambertin Vieilles Vignes

Alain Burguet is an 18-acre domain based in Gevrey-Chambertin. It was established in 1974 when Alain rented space in vineyards and began making his own wine. He later bought vineyards. Alain retired in 2011 and the domain is today run by his sons Jean-Luke and Eric. The domain has Premier Cru parcels in Gevrey-Chambertin and villages vineyards as well. In 2003 Alain started a negociant business through which he also offers Chambertin Clos de Beze and Clos Vougeot. Alain Burguet produces about 40,000 bottles annually and earns praise from reviewers.

Côte de Nuits is the northern part of the Côte d’Or and it includes the most famous vineyards and wine communes in the world. There are more Grand Cru appellations in the Côte de Nuits than anywhere else in Burgundy. Of the fourteen communes, or villages in the Côte de Nuits, six produce Grand Cru wines. They are Gevrey-Chambertin, Morey-St.-Denis, Chambolle-Musigny, Vougeot, Flagey-Échezeaux and Vosne-Romanee. Some of the vineyards within the Côte de Nuits are tiny, which adds to their prestige. The fabled Grand Cru vineyard La Romanee is barely two square acres. Altogether there are twenty-four Grand Cru vineyards. The region takes its name from the village of Nuits-Saint-Georges. Côtes de Nuits produces mostly reds from Pinot Noir, and the wines have been in demand for centuries. During the 18th century King Louis XIV’s physician recommended that for his health the king only drink wines from Nuits-Saint-Georges. Like most of Burgundy, the soils of the Côte de Nuit can vary greatly from one vineyard to another, though most are a base soil of limestone mixed with clay, gravel and sand.

This red wine is relatively light and can pair with a wide variety of foods. The grape prefers cooler climates and the wine is most often associated with Burgundy, Champagne and the U.S. west coast. Regional differences make it nearly as fickle as it is flexible.