2011 Francois Parent Pommard Les Arvelets

Burghound.com has called the Francois Parent 2004 Monthelie Champs Fuillot "Outstanding...A top value." And the review noted that the wine is "a quality effort by any standard." As with many domaines in Burgundy, the domain Francois Parent's history is complicated and includes many family ties to other nearby domaines. Francois Parent is married to A.F. (Anne) Gros, and Francois is involved with the winemaking at both domaines. Francois Parents owns about 12 acres of vineyards. The domaine makes produces 40,000 bottles a year.

Les Arvelets is a 26-acre Premier Cru vineyard in the Pommard appellation of Burgundy’s Cote de Beaune. Since there are no Grand Crus in Pommard, the Premier Crus have special importance. Robert M. Parker Jr. has written that “Pommard at its best is the fullest wine made in the Cote de Beaune.”

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.