2005 Domaine Perrot-Minot Vosne-Romanee Vieilles Vignes

Domaine Henri Perrot-Minot is a 32-acre estate in Morey-Saint-Denis, in Burgundy’s Cote de Nuits. The domaine was founded in the 19th century, and is today still owned and operated by descendants of the founders. Henri Perrot-Minot married into the family in 1963 and ran the estate until 1993, when his son Christophe took over. Christophe has expanded the estate into Vosne-Romanee and Perrot-Minot now has Grand Cru parcels in Chambertin-Clos de Beze, Chambertin, Mazoyeres-Chambertin, Charmes-Chambertin, Mazis-Chambertin, Chapelle-Chambertin and Clos Vougeot. The estate also has 14 Premier Cru parcels. Clive Coates has written that “this is a very good address.”

Vosne-Romanée is the most prestigious appellation in Burgundy. Its 449 acres of vineyards are in and around the village of Vosne-Romanée and they include renowned Grand Cru vineyards which produce some of the world’s most coveted – and costly —wines. The Grands Crus are Richebourg, La Romanée, Romanée-Conti, Romanée-Saint-Vivant and La Tâche. The Grand Crus Échezeaux and Grands- Échezeaux are actually located in the neighboring village of Flagey-Échezeaux, but legally they can be sold under the Vosne-Romanée appellation. There are also seventeen Premier Crus in Vosne-Romanée. Wine writer Clive Coates has called Vosne-Romanée “the greatest Pinot Noir village on earth” and notes that the appellation’s style “is for wines which are rich, austere, sensual, masculine and aristocratic.”

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.