1985 Louis Latour Monthélie

Louis Latour is one of Burgundy’s largest and most influential negociants and wine producers. The Latour family has been in the wine business in Burgundy since the 17th century when it started a maison and ran its own domaine for wine production. Today the maison is located in Beaune and the chateau is in Aloxe-Corton. Domaine Louis Latour has 71 acres of Grand Cru vineyards, making it the largest Grand Cru domaine in the Cote d’Or. The vineyards are located between Chambertin and Chevalier-Montrachet. In addition, Domaine Latour has another 50 acres of Premier Cru and other parcels. Domaine Louis Latour is best known for its Chardonnay, including the Grand Crus Corton-Charlemagne and Chevalier-Montrachet les Demoiselles. The Domaine also makes several Grand Cru reds, including the much-admired Corton-Grancey. Louis Latour owns 741 acres in Ardeche, in the south of France, where the firm produces modestly-priced Chardonnay.

Monthélie is a diminutive appellation of just 450 acres wedged between Volnay and Meursault. The picturesque village of the same name has fewer than 300 inhabitants, all of whom are involved in making wine. The name Monthélie is thought to come from the Celtic phrase “mont-oloye,” meaning an elevation in the road. Both red and white wines can be produced within the Monthélie appellation, though in practice about 85% is Pinot Noir and 15% is Chardonnay. There are no Grands Crus but the appellation has 15 Premiers Crus, in whole or part. Four are relatively new, having been added in 2006. Until 1937, when Monthélie became an official appellation, the wine produced was sold as either Volnay or Pommard. Two of the best-known Premier Cru vineyards are Les Champs Fulliot and Sur la Velle. Robert M. Parker Jr. has written that the best producers of Monthélie reds make “aromatic, graceful, elegant wines.”

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.