2009 Domaine Bruno Clavelier Nuits Saint Georges Aux Cras Vieilles Vignes

Domaine Bruno Clavelier is a 14.65-acre estate in Vosne-Romanee, Burgundy. Since the late 1980s it has been run by Bruno Clavelier, a former professional rugby player who took over the estate after his grandfather retired. Clavelier is a proponent of biodynamic viticulture, and he is known for his strict attention to organic grape growing. Most of his vines were planted in the 1920s. Clavelier’s parcels include plots in the Grand Cru vineyard Corton le Rognet, and premier crus in Vosne Romanee, Gevrey Chambertin and Chambolle Musigny. Burgundy expert Clive Coates has written that Clavelier’s wines, which are not filtered, “are full, rich and perfumed: this is quality produce.”

Aux Cras is a 7.5 acre Premier Cru vineyard in Nuits-Saints-Georges, in Burgundy’s Cote de Nuits. It is near the northern boundary of Nuits-Saints-Georges, at an average elevation of 270 meters. The soil is limestone and gravel. Some wine writers note that the wines from these northern Nuits-Saint-Georges vineyards have a hint of Vosne about them, since they are so close to the Vosne-Romanee appellation. Because there are no Grand Cru vineyards in Nuits-Saints-Georges, the appellation’s considerable reputation rests on its excellent Premier Crus.

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.