2005 Domaine Chanson Pere et Fils Beaune Bressandes

Chanson Pere et Fils was established in Beaune in 1750, making it one of the oldest domaines in Beaune. The original founder, Simon Verry, named the business after himself. A century later, the family sold their business to their young manager, Alexis Chanson. In 1999 the 100-acre estate was sold to Champagne Bollinger and Jean-Pierre Confuron was brought in as winemaker. Chanson Pere et Fils has Grand Cru and Premier Cru parcels, including the Beaune Premier Cru monopole Clos des Feves.

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.