2020 Albert Bichot Domaine du Clos Frantin Vosne Romanee

Maison Albert Bichot is one of Burgundy’s largest and most important negociants. It was founded by Bernard Bichot in 1831 as a wine brokerage and by the early 20th century the maison was exporting throughout Europe and to the U.S. In 1912 it moved its headquarters to Beaune. Today the estate is run by Alberic Bichot, the sixth generation of the founding family. In 2004 Albert Bichot was named “Red Winemaker of the Year” by the International Wine Challenge and in 2011 the maison won the “White Winemaker of the Year” honor from the same organization. Albert Bichot owns four estates, one each in Chablis, Nuits-Saint-Georges, Pommard and Mercurey. It is also produces wine from Cote de Beaune, Cote Chalonnnaise, Beaujolais, Maconnais and regional appellations. Altogether the maison owns a total of more than 250 acres of vineyards.

Vosne-Romanée is the most prestigious appellation in Burgundy. Its 449 acres of vineyards are in and around the village of Vosne-Romanée and they include renowned Grand Cru vineyards which produce some of the world’s most coveted – and costly —wines. The Grands Crus are Richebourg, La Romanée, Romanée-Conti, Romanée-Saint-Vivant and La Tâche. The Grand Crus Échezeaux and Grands- Échezeaux are actually located in the neighboring village of Flagey-Échezeaux, but legally they can be sold under the Vosne-Romanée appellation. There are also seventeen Premier Crus in Vosne-Romanée. Wine writer Clive Coates has called Vosne-Romanée “the greatest Pinot Noir village on earth” and notes that the appellation’s style “is for wines which are rich, austere, sensual, masculine and aristocratic.”

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.