1993 Domaine Georges Roumier Clos de Vougeot

Georges Roumier et Fils is a 40-acre estate in Chambolle Musigny in Burgundy’s Cote de Nuits. Founded in 1924 by Georges Roumier, it is now run by the family’s second and third generation winemakers, father Jean-Marie and son Christophe. The wines produced include the Grand Crus Le Musigny, Bonnes-Mares and Corton-Charlemagne, as well as Premier Crus in Chambolle-Musigny, which are Les Amoureuses, Les Combettes, and Les Cras. The estate also has a monopole Premier Cru in Morey-Saint-Denis, which is Clos de la Bussiere. Robert M. Parker Jr. has noted that the domaine “is undoubtedly one of the finest sources of classic, long-lived red burgundies….All aspects of the estate’s winemaking are completely traditional.”

Clos de Vougeot is a walled vineyard that dominates the tiny commune of Vougeot in Burgundy’s Nuits-St.-Georges. The 124-acre Grand Cru vineyard includes a historic chateau that in 1945 was purchased by the Confrerie des Chevaliers du Tastevin, an organization devoted to promoting the traditions of Burgundy and its wines. The impressive chateau is the organization’s headquarters. Clos de Vougeot was established as a vineyard by Cistercian monks in the 12th century, then sold off to private owners after the French Revolution. The vineyard is unusual for a Grand Cru in that it includes land that runs down to the main road. The soil is light limestone with sand. Principal landowners are Chateau de la Tour, with 13 acres; Meo-Camuzet, 7.5 acres; Rebourseau, 5.5 acres; Louis Jadot, 5.3 acres; and Leroy, 5 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.