2016 Jean Grivot Vosne Romanee

Domaine Jean Grivot is a 42-acre domaine in Clos de Vougeot, in Burgundy’s Cote de Nuits. The Grivot family has been growing grapes and producing wine in the area since the 17th century. Today the estate is run by Etienne Grivot who worked in viticulture in California and other regions of France before taking over the estate. Domaine Jean Grivot has Grand Cru parcels in Richebourg, Clos de Vougeot and Echezeaux, and Premier Crus in Vosne-Romanee and Nuits-Saints-Georges. Clive Coates describes the estate as “one of the great domaines of Burgundy. Everything is done in the vineyard with respect for the quality and life of the soil.”

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.