2015 Domaine Poisot Corton Bressandes

Domaine Poisot Père et Fils is a rarity in the wine world. It is a new label -- more or less - for Grand Cru Burgundy. The history of this tiny domaine of five acres is intertwined with the estate of Louis Latour and generational changes in the Poisot family. Marie Poisot was the daughter of the first Louis Latour, and in 1902 she inherited half of her father's estate. The other half went to her brother, also named Louis Latour. Marie Poisot's property eventually was divided among her six children, one of who, Pierre Poisot, became chief of vineyard management at Louis Latour. Most of the Poisot family's vineyards were farmed under rental agreements for two more generations, with the grapes going to Louis Latour. By 2009 only a tiny fraction of the original Poisot holdings had not been sold off to other domaines. And in 2010 Rémi Poisot, great grandson of Marie Poisot, took over the small share of the original Poisot estate that his family still owns. Today Domaine Poisot include a total of four acres of Grand Cru parcels in Romanee-Saint-Vivant, Corton Charlemagne and Corton Bressandes. There is also a one acre parcel of Pernand-Verglesses Premier Cru.

Aloxe-Corton is one of the most historic appellations in Burgundy. It includes the communes of Aloxe-Corton and Ladoix-Serrigny. The Romans settled in the area and made wine, and in the eighth century Emperor Charlemagne was so impressed with the wine from Aloxe-Corton that he bought land and founded an abbey. The famous Grand Cru Chardonnay Corton-Charlemagne was named for the emperor, who, according to legend, switched from drinking red wine to white because his wife disliked red wine stains on his white beard. The AOC Aloxe-Corton includes 13 Premier Crus and 220 acres of village vineyards. Nearly all of the wine produced is red, and the reds are known for spicy, earthy, tannic character. At the heart of the appellation is the Montagne de Corton, or Hill of Corton, which is home to the Grand Crus of the area. The Chardonnay vineyards are at the top of the hill, but further down the hill is planted to Pinot Noir. All 22 Grand Cru vineyards on Montagne Corton produce wines that include the name Corton. All are reds except for the legendary Chardonnay Corton-Charlemagne.

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.