2012 Arnoux-Lachaux Clos de Vougeot

Domaine Arnoux-Lachaux is the updated name for what was previously called Domaine Robert Arnoux. Founded in 1858 by the Arnoux family in the Côte de Nuits, the estate has vines that are on average fifty years old, with some dating to 1921. The new name reflects the fact that the domaine has for several decades been run by Pascal Lachaux and his wife Florence Arnoux, Robert’s daughter. Robert took over from his father in the 1950s, and died in the mid-1990s. Under Pascal and Florence the estate has grown to 45 acres, including a parcel in Latricieres-Chambertin. Today their son Charles is also part of the enterprise. The domaine includes Grand Cru vineyards in Vosne-Romanee, Clos de Vougeot and Romanee-St.-Vivant. It also has Premier Cru and villages parcels in Nuits-Saint-Georges and Chambolle-Musigny. Clive Coates has written that the wines made under Pascal Lachaux "have been excellent."

Clos de Vougeot is a walled vineyard that dominates the tiny commune of Vougeot in Burgundy’s Nuits-St.-Georges. The 124-acre Grand Cru vineyard includes a historic chateau that in 1945 was purchased by the Confrerie des Chevaliers du Tastevin, an organization devoted to promoting the traditions of Burgundy and its wines. The impressive chateau is the organization’s headquarters. Clos de Vougeot was established as a vineyard by Cistercian monks in the 12th century, then sold off to private owners after the French Revolution. The vineyard is unusual for a Grand Cru in that it includes land that runs down to the main road. The soil is light limestone with sand. Principal landowners are Chateau de la Tour, with 13 acres; Meo-Camuzet, 7.5 acres; Rebourseau, 5.5 acres; Louis Jadot, 5.3 acres; and Leroy, 5 acres.

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.