2003 Rene Engel Clos de Vougeot

Rene Engel was a 21-acre domaine in Burgundy’s Cote de Nuits. It was highly regarded by wine writers and collectors for its Grand Cru Clos de Vougeot, Grand-Echezeaux, Echezeaux, and Vosne-Romanee. Clive Coates wrote that the domaine made wine “of great intensity, splendid style and individuality and real power to last.” However in 2005 Philippe Engel, son of Rene, died at age 49. The estate’s 2005 cuvees were sold in bulk and the estate itself was sold to Francois Pinault, owner of Chateau Latour. There is no longer a domaine Rene Engel.

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.