1998 Jean Grivot Vosne Romanee Les Beaux Monts

Domaine Jean Grivot is a 42-acre domaine in Clos de Vougeot, in Burgundy’s Cote de Nuits. The Grivot family has been growing grapes and producing wine in the area since the 17th century. Today the estate is run by Etienne Grivot who worked in viticulture in California and other regions of France before taking over the estate. Domaine Jean Grivot has Grand Cru parcels in Richebourg, Clos de Vougeot and Echezeaux, and Premier Crus in Vosne-Romanee and Nuits-Saints-Georges. Clive Coates describes the estate as “one of the great domaines of Burgundy. Everything is done in the vineyard with respect for the quality and life of the soil.”

Les Beaux Monts is a 28.6-acre Premier Cru vineyard in the Vosne-Romanee appellation of Burgundy’s Cote de Nuits. It is on the northern edge of the appellation, bordering Flagey-Echezeaux. The vineyard has a southern exposure, and the soil is part clay and marl. It is one of the largest of Vosne-Romanee’s Premier Crus. Clive Coates calls Les Beaux Monts “a nice big wine, but nonetheless perfumed, full of finesse, even lush.”

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.