1996 Domaine Confuron-Cotetidot Vosne Romanee

Domaine Confuron-Cotetidot is owned and operated by the Confuron family, which has been making wine in Vosne-Romanée since the 17th century. The family is so famous and established in the region that there is a Pinot Noir grape clone named after them, Pinot Confuron. The estate’s 30 acres of vineyards include legendary Grand Cru, Premier Cru and villages parcels, none of which has ever been treated with pesticides or herbicides. Long before biodynamic farming became a movement, the Confurons were farming organically. Brothers Yves and Jean-Pierre run the estate today, with help from their parents. The domaine is known for whole cluster fermentation and a deep, dark, classically concentrated style that is considered by Burgundy aficionados to be distinctly old school, and highly impressive.

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.