2011 Domaine des Croix Beaune Bressandes

Domaine des Croix is partly owned and entirely operated by winemaker David Croix, also known for his winemaking tenure at Camille Giroud. David founded Domaine des Croix about a decade ago with investors. His first releases were 2005 Corton-Charlemagne, Bourgogne Rouge, Beaune and Beaune Premiers Crus. The domaine has been farmed organically since 2008. Wine Advocate has called David Croix “a talented winemaker who has carved a niche out for himself.” Vinous has noted that Croix makes wines in a “forward, fruit-driven style.”

Les Bressandes is a 50-acre Premier Cru vineyard on the northwestern edge the Beaune appellation, in Burgundy’s Cote de Beaune. Les Bressandes is near the top of the slope. Clive Coates has written that wine from Les Bressandes and neighboring vineyards “have an extra roundness, richness and style” compared with some slightly more northern Beaune Premier Crus.

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.