2011 Jayer-Gilles Nuits-St.-Georges Les Damodes

Domaine Jayer-Gilles is run by Gilles Jayer, son of Robert Jayer. Robert is a cousin of the late, legendary Henri Jayer. The 24-acre estate based in Magny Les Villers includes Grand Cru parcels in Echezeaux and Premier Cru Nuits-Saint-Georges. The large Jayer family is one of Burgundy’s most famous winemaking families.

Les Damodes is a 21.5 acre Premier Cru vineyard in the Nuits-Saint-Georges appellation, in Burgundy’s Cote-de-Nuits. It is near the northern boundary of Nuits-Saints-Georges, at an average elevation of 290 meters with some relatively steep inclines. The soil is limestone, gravel and sand. Some wine writers note that the wines from these northern Nuits-Saint-Georges vineyards have a hint of Vosne about them, since they are so close to the Vosne-Romanee appellation. Because there are no Grand Cru vineyards in Nuits-Saints-Georges, the appellation’s considerable reputation rests on its excellent Premier Crus.

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.