2002 Chateau de la Maltroye Bourgogne

Chateau de la Maltroye is a 36-acre estate in Chassange-Montrachet. The estate is named for the 18th century chateau that presides over the property, which since the 1940s has been owned by the Cornut family. Today the estate is run by Jean-Pierre Cornut and includes Grand Cru parcels in Batard-Montrachet, Premier Cru Blanc and Rouge parrcels in Chassange-Montrachet, and Premier Cru Blanc and Rouge parcels in Santenay. Clive Coates writes that since Jean-Pierre took over in the 1990s, “quality is now high here.”

Burgundy in eastern France is, if not the most famous and storied wine region in the world, certainly one of the top two or three. Its winemaking history dates from the Roman era, and its relatively small size and reputation for outstanding wines means that the best wines of Burgundy are generally among the world’s most prized – and costly – wines. At about 110,000 vineyards acres, Burgundy is only 40% as big as Bordeaux, and its system of dividing up vineyards into small, family-owned parcels makes understanding the wines of Burgundy a life-long pursuit for Burgundy enthusiasts. The three main grapes of Burgundy are Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Gamay. Burgundy is a long, narrow, north-south running region consisting of five main areas. They are Chablis in the north, Côte D’Or, Côte Chalonnaise, Mâconnais and Beaujolais, which is just above the Rhone Valley. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are grown throughout most of Burgundy but Gamay is grown primarily in Beaujolais. The appellation system and rules about labeling can be confusing and the system classifies regions, villages and even individual vineyards. Grand Cru is the most prestigious appellation category, followed by Premier Cru and many village and regional appellations.

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.