2003 Domaine A.-F. Gros Beaune Les Boucherottes, 12-bottle Lot

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."

Les Boucherottes is a 22-acre Premier Cru vineyard in the appellation of Beaune, in Burgundy’s Cote de Beaune. It is on the southern edge of the appellation, on a gentle slope that faces east. It is one of Beaune’s 44 vineyards that is either partly or entirely Premier Cru. Beaune has no Grand Cru.

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.