1999 Michel Noëllat Clos de Vougeot

Domaine Michel Noellat is in Vosne-Romanee, near Domaine Leroy. The 66-acre estate is owned and operated by brothers Alain and Jean-Marc Noellat, who are the fifth generation to run the enterprise. The brothers’ adult children, cousins Sophie and Sebastian, are now also involved in running the domaine. This large domaine has parcels in numerous appellations from Marsanny-la-Cote to Pommard. There are two Grand Crus, eight Premier Crus and numerous village wines. Altogether Domaine Michel Noellat has nearly 100 parcels in 22 appellations and produces about 90,000 bottles annually. Grand Cru parcels are in Clos Vougeot and Echezeaux. Premier Cru parcels are in both the Cote de Nuits and the Cote de Beaune. The family also has a small negociant business.

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.