2012 Domaine Bruno Clavelier Vosne-Romanee Les Beaux Monts Vieilles Vignes

Domaine Bruno Clavelier is a 14.65-acre estate in Vosne-Romanee, Burgundy. Since the late 1980s it has been run by Bruno Clavelier, a former professional rugby player who took over the estate after his grandfather retired. Clavelier is a proponent of biodynamic viticulture, and he is known for his strict attention to organic grape growing. Most of his vines were planted in the 1920s. Clavelier’s parcels include plots in the Grand Cru vineyard Corton le Rognet, and premier crus in Vosne Romanee, Gevrey Chambertin and Chambolle Musigny. Burgundy expert Clive Coates has written that Clavelier’s wines, which are not filtered, “are full, rich and perfumed: this is quality produce.”

Les Beaux Monts is a 28.6-acre Premier Cru vineyard in the Vosne-Romanee appellation of Burgundy’s Cote de Nuits. It is on the northern edge of the appellation, bordering Flagey-Echezeaux. The vineyard has a southern exposure, and the soil is part clay and marl. It is one of the largest of Vosne-Romanee’s Premier Crus. Clive Coates calls Les Beaux Monts “a nice big wine, but nonetheless perfumed, full of finesse, even lush.”

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.