2018 Domaine Perrot-Minot Chambertin Clos de Beze Vieilles Vignes

Domaine Henri Perrot-Minot is a 32-acre estate in Morey-Saint-Denis, in Burgundy’s Cote de Nuits. The domaine was founded in the 19th century, and is today still owned and operated by descendants of the founders. Henri Perrot-Minot married into the family in 1963 and ran the estate until 1993, when his son Christophe took over. Christophe has expanded the estate into Vosne-Romanee and Perrot-Minot now has Grand Cru parcels in Chambertin-Clos de Beze, Chambertin, Mazoyeres-Chambertin, Charmes-Chambertin, Mazis-Chambertin, Chapelle-Chambertin and Clos Vougeot. The estate also has 14 Premier Cru parcels. Clive Coates has written that “this is a very good address.”

Chambertin Clos-de-Beze is a Grand Cru vineyard in Gevrey-Chambertin, and its history goes back to the 7th century when it was owned by the monks of the Abbey of Beze. After the French Revolution the Catholic Church was forced to divide the vineyard among peasants. Today it is a 38-acre vineyard, making it slightly larger than Chambertin. Chambertin and Chambertin Clos-de-Beze are adjacent and share similar limestone, clay and gravel soils. Of the 18 proprietors, the largest by acreage are Pierre Damoy, 13.4 acres; Armand Rousseau, 3.5 acres; and Drouhin-Laroze, 3.48 acres.

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.