2009 Christophe Roumier Ruchottes-Chambertin

Christophe Roumier is the grandson of Georges Roumier, founder of the legendary Georges Roumier domaine. Christophe took over Domaine Georges Roumier in 1990 when his father, Jean-Marie, retired. In 1994 Christophe also started leasing Grand Cru vineyards in Gevrey-Chambertin, Charmes-Chambertin and Ruchottes-Chambertin. He bottles these wines under his own name. He also leases Chambolle Villages and Les Cras Premier Cru parcels and bottles them under his name. Roumier is a highly regarded winemaker, whether he is bottling under the family label or his own. Robert M. Parker Jr. has noted that the Georges Roumier “is undoubtedly one of the finest sources of classic, long-lived red burgundies….All aspects of the estate’s winemaking are completely traditional.”

Ruchottes-Chambertin is an 8.1-acre Grand Cru vineyard in Gevrey-Chambertin. Located just north of Mazis-Chambertin, the soil is thin and rocky and the slope is steep. In fact the name Ruchottes comes from “rochers,” or rocks. The principal proprietors are Armand Rousseau, 2.5 acres; Mugneret-Gibourg, 1.6 acres; and Frederic Esmonin, 1.45 acres. Fewer than 1,000 cases of wine are produced annually from this vineyard.

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.