1996 Rene Engel Grands-Echezeaux

Rene Engel was a 21-acre domaine in Burgundy’s Cote de Nuits. It was highly regarded by wine writers and collectors for its Grand Cru Clos de Vougeot, Grand-Echezeaux, Echezeaux, and Vosne-Romanee. Clive Coates wrote that the domaine made wine “of great intensity, splendid style and individuality and real power to last.” However in 2005 Philippe Engel, son of Rene, died at age 49. The estate’s 2005 cuvees were sold in bulk and the estate itself was sold to Francois Pinault, owner of Chateau Latour. There is no longer a domaine Rene Engel.

Grands-Echezeaux is a Grand Cru vineyard in the southern Cote de Nuits. It is a 23-acre plot and is generally flat with an elevation of 260 meters. The soil is limestone mixed with clay and pebbles. Pinot Noir is grown in the vineyard and the largest proprietors are Domaine de la Romanee-Conti, with 8.83 acres; Mongeard-Mugneret, 3.6 acres; and Jean-Pierre Mugneret/Jean-Rene Naudant, 2.25 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.