2009 Domaine A.-F. Gros Vosne-Romanee Maizieres

The domaine was established in 1988 when the parents of Anne-Françoise, Jean and Jeanine Gros of Vosne-Romanée decided to let go of a few parcels of the family domaine. The Gros family has been making wine in Burgundy since the mid -1800s as one generation after another has taken over the family enterprise and also branched out into their own wine producing endeavors. Anne-Françoise also acquired a domaine in Flagey-Échezeaux. Later, with her husband François Parent, she purchased a vineyard in Savigny-les-Beaune. The domaine now includes vineyards in numerous appellations, including Vosne-Romanee, Chambolle Musigny, Pommard and Beaune. Francois and Anne-Francois say that in Burgundy every appellation has a personality. "Each wine is bursting with a color and substance of its own, and that is the sensation you have in the palate, unique and different for each appellation."

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.