1978 Pierre Amiot Confrerie des Chevaliers du Tastevin Clos de la Roche

Domaine Pierre Amiot et Fils has been producing wines in Morey St. Denis for five generations. The 25-acre domain has Grand Cru parcels in Clos-Saint-Denis, Clos de la Roche and Charmes Chambertin. There are also Premier Cru parcels in Gevrey-Chambertin and Morey-Saint-Denis. The estate is now run by brothers Didier and Jean-Louis Amiot. Robert M. Parker Jr. has written that the domaine produces “wonderfully fruity, elegant wines…”

Clos de la Roche is a 41-acre Grand Cru vineyard in the Morey St.-Denis appellation in the Cotes de Nuits, in northern Burgundy. The tiny village of Morey St.-Denis is just south of Gevrey-Chambertin and Clos de Roche is considered the appellation’s most superior Grand Cru. The vineyard’s elevation ranges from 270 to 300 meters, and its soil is extremely rocky with excellent drainage. The soil is largely limestone, and in some places it is barely a foot deep. Writer Clive Coates calls Clos de Roche “the classiest of the Morey Grand Crus.” The largest landholders are Ponsot with 8.35 acres; Dujac, 4.88 acres; and Armand Rousseau, 3.7 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.