1997 Bertrand Ambroise Vosne-Romanee Aux Damaudes

Maison Bertrand Ambroise is a 33-acre estate in Premeaux-Prissey, near Nuits Saint Georges. The estate dates to the 18th century but it became Maison Bertrand Ambroise in 1987, when Bertrand Ambroise acquired the estate. He runs it with the help of his wife and children. The estate has Grand Cru parcels in Clos de Vougeot, Corton and Corton-Charlemagne, as well as numerous Premier Crus in Nuits Saints Georges, Vougeot, Pommard and Saint-Aubin.

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.