1999 Champy Grands-Echezeaux

Maison Champy claims to be the oldest Burgundy negociant still in business. It was founded in 1720 and over the centuries it has owned or represented such prestigious appellations as the Clos de Tart Monopole and some prime Montrachet parcels. The Beaune-based business owns 15.6 acres of vineyards in Beaune, Clos Vougeot, Pommard and Savigny-Les-Beaune, from which it makes wines under its own Champy domaine label. Champy also produces a range of wines as a negociant. Owned by the Meurgey family for nearly 300 years, it was sold to Louis Jadot in 1990 when the extended family could not reach agreement on how to proceed with the business. A few years later part of the business was bought back by the some family members, with Jadot keeping the lion’s share. Winemaker for the negociant is Dimitri Bazas, a Greek expat who learned Burgundian winemaking from Henri Boillot, among others. Bazas is considered a talented winemaker. Champy is admired for its adherence to traditional winemaking and estate management, and the wide range of wines offered.

Grands-Echezeaux is a Grand Cru vineyard in the southern Cote de Nuits. It is a 23-acre plot and is generally flat with an elevation of 260 meters. The soil is limestone mixed with clay and pebbles. Pinot Noir is grown in the vineyard and the largest proprietors are Domaine de la Romanee-Conti, with 8.83 acres; Mongeard-Mugneret, 3.6 acres; and Jean-Pierre Mugneret/Jean-Rene Naudant, 2.25 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.