2012 Comte Armand Auxey-Duresses

Comte Armand Le Domaine des Epeneaux is the full name of a 25-acre domaine in Pommard, in Burgundy’s Cote de Beaune. The domaine is highly unusual in that until 1994 it had only one wine, which is the prestigious Premier Cru Clos des Epeneaux. The clos is a 13-acre monopole. But in 1994 the domaine, which has been owned by the Armand family since the 18th century, expanded to include Premier Cru and village parcels in Pommard, Volnay, Meursault and Auxey-Duresses. The current head of the family is a Parisian lawyer who has given the winemaking duties to Benjamin Leroux. The estate is biodynamic and is still primarily known for its Clos des Epeneaux.

Côte de Beaune is the southern half of the Côte d’Or. The Côte de Beaune includes 16 villages and appellations. Among the most famous communes are Santenay, Chassagne-Montrachet, Puligny-Montrachet, Meursault, Volnay, Pommard, Beaune and Aloxe-Corton. Three of the communes include Grand Cru vineyards and there are numerous Premier Cru vineyards. Though Côte de Beaune produces outstanding red and white wines, it is especially renowned for its Chardonnays, which are considered the best in the world. The prestigious Grand Cru Chardonnays from the vineyards Corton-Charlemagne, Montrachet, Batard-Montrachet, Chevalier-Montrachet and Bienvenues-Batard-Montrachet are always in high demand. The region takes its name from the village of Beaune, the unofficial capital of Burgundy. Beaune is home to many of Burgundy’s best negociants, including Joseph Drouhin, Louis Jadot and Bouchard Pere et Fils. Beaune is also home to the historic Hospices de Beaune wine auction, an annual event held by local producers for the benefit of a Beaune hospital built in the 15th century.

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.