1998 Jean Raphet Bourgogne Rouge Les Grands Champs Reserve Cuvee Unique

Jean Raphet’s domaine has been managed since 2002 by his son, Gérard Raphet. The name of the estate has also been changed to Gérard Raphet. The 30-acre estate includes parcels in Charmes-Chambertin, Clos de la Roche, Chambertin, Clos-de-Vougeot, Gevrey-Chambertin and Morey-Saint-Denis. There are Grand Cru, Premier Cru and villages parcels. Burgundy expert Clive Coates has written that “the line-up is impressive, and the atmosphere efficient. The results can be very good; rich, full, plummy and succulent.”

Burgundy in eastern France is, if not the most famous and storied wine region in the world, certainly one of the top two or three. Its winemaking history dates from the Roman era, and its relatively small size and reputation for outstanding wines means that the best wines of Burgundy are generally among the world’s most prized – and costly – wines. At about 110,000 vineyards acres, Burgundy is only 40% as big as Bordeaux, and its system of dividing up vineyards into small, family-owned parcels makes understanding the wines of Burgundy a life-long pursuit for Burgundy enthusiasts. The three main grapes of Burgundy are Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Gamay. Burgundy is a long, narrow, north-south running region consisting of five main areas. They are Chablis in the north, Côte D’Or, Côte Chalonnaise, Mâconnais and Beaujolais, which is just above the Rhone Valley. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are grown throughout most of Burgundy but Gamay is grown primarily in Beaujolais. The appellation system and rules about labeling can be confusing and the system classifies regions, villages and even individual vineyards. Grand Cru is the most prestigious appellation category, followed by Premier Cru and many village and regional appellations.

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.