1997 Domaine Jacques Prieur Clos Vougeot

Domaine Jacques Prieur is in Meursault, Burgundy. The estate owns or leases a total of 50 acres, including excellent parcels in Montrachet, Chevalier-Montrachet, Puligny-Montrachet Les Combettes, Musigny, Chambertin and Chambertin-Clos de Beze. The estate is owned by the Prieur family and Antonin Rodet. The estate makes Grand Cru and Premier Cru red and white Burgundy.

Clos de Vougeot is a walled vineyard that dominates the tiny commune of Vougeot in Burgundy’s Nuits-St.-Georges. The 124-acre Grand Cru vineyard includes a historic chateau that in 1945 was purchased by the Confrerie des Chevaliers du Tastevin, an organization devoted to promoting the traditions of Burgundy and its wines. The impressive chateau is the organization’s headquarters. Clos de Vougeot was established as a vineyard by Cistercian monks in the 12th century, then sold off to private owners after the French Revolution. The vineyard is unusual for a Grand Cru in that it includes land that runs down to the main road. The soil is light limestone with sand. Principal landowners are Chateau de la Tour, with 13 acres; Meo-Camuzet, 7.5 acres; Rebourseau, 5.5 acres; Louis Jadot, 5.3 acres; and Leroy, 5 acres.

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.