1999 Daniel Rion Clos Vougeot

Domaine Daniel Rion is a 45-acre estate based in Premeaux. It was started in 1955 when Daniel Rion inherited 5 acres and began growing grapes to sell to negociants. Starting in 1978 Rion’s sons joined the family business and the domaine added vineyards, built a larger cellar and started selling wine under their own label. Today the estate is still family run and has parcels in 18 appellations. The estate has a Grand Cru parcel in Clos Vougeot as well as Premier Crus in Vosne-Romanee and Nuits-Saints-Georges.

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.