1999 Domaine Bizot Echezeaux

Domaine Bizot is stamp-sized estate in Vosne-Romanee, Burgundy, that in the last decade has become one of Burgundy’s small treasures. Owned and run by Jean-Yves Bizot, a professor of viticulture who was mentored by the legendary Henri Jayer, Bizot produces 900 cases of Grand Cru, Premier Cru and villages wines a year from 10 acres of vineyards. His Pinot Noirs include Vosne-Romanee and Echezeaux. Robert M. Parker Jr. has written that “there is no doubt that Bizot is a vigneron who name consumers need to commit to memory.”

Echezeaux is a 93-acre Grand Cru vineyard on the southern edge of the Cote de Nuits. It up the slope from Clos de Vougeot and Grands Echezeaux and is one of the largest grand crus in Burgundy. The vineyard varies in elevation from 250 to 300 meters, and the terroir includes significant clay as well as thin, rocky soil. The largest proprietors are Domaine de la Romanee Conti, with 11.68 acres; Mongeard-Mugneret with 6.25 acres, and Emmanuel-Rouget, with 3.58 acres. Echezeaux produces red wine.

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.