2004 Rene Engel Vosne Romanee

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.

Vosne-Romanée is the most prestigious appellation in Burgundy. Its 449 acres of vineyards are in and around the village of Vosne-Romanée and they include renowned Grand Cru vineyards which produce some of the world’s most coveted – and costly —wines. The Grands Crus are Richebourg, La Romanée, Romanée-Conti, Romanée-Saint-Vivant and La Tâche. The Grand Crus Échezeaux and Grands- Échezeaux are actually located in the neighboring village of Flagey-Échezeaux, but legally they can be sold under the Vosne-Romanée appellation. There are also seventeen Premier Crus in Vosne-Romanée. Wine writer Clive Coates has called Vosne-Romanée “the greatest Pinot Noir village on earth” and notes that the appellation’s style “is for wines which are rich, austere, sensual, masculine and aristocratic.”

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.