VOSNE ROMANEE

Localization : Côte de Nuits
Total vineyard area : 183,83 ha dont 57,50 ha classés en premier cru et 27,80 ha classés en grand cru
Area in production : 174,97 ha
Variety and types of wine : pinot noir exclusively
Classification : Villages, Premier Cru and Grand Cru

Premier Cru "Climats" :

Grand Cru "Climats" :

Romanée-Conti : Sold in 1760 to Louis-François Bourbon, Prince of Conti, the name Romanée-Conti (a rare example in Burgundy of a family name being added to the name of the Village) was not used until the 18th century. Until then, the wines produced on this magnificent land were called Romanée. It was thanks to the Prince of Conti that the name became widely known. For just sixteen years, he built up the reputation of his wine, then bequeathed the land to his son when he died. His son sold everything he had in 1783, with the exception of Romanée. But during the French Revolution of 1789, the land was declared national property and was sold. From then on, there were then several owners and today it belongs exclusively to the Domaine de la Romanée-Conti. An area of 1.80 ha., the vines are planted in deep soil composed of brown clay and hard chalk giving powerful, ample, rich wines with exceptional ageing potential.

La Romanée : Going by the historical texts, this vineyard dates from Roman times, probably the origin of its name. Christened the "centre pearl", due to its geographical situation, in the heart of the Grands Crus of Vosne Romanée it is the smallest Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée, not only on the Côte de Nuits, but in the whole of France : it only covers 0.85 ha., producing less than 4 000 bottles per year! Just like Romanée-Conti a little further south, La Romanée has all the producing favourable conditions for a magnificent red wine : limestone-clay soil mixed with some crumbly chalk, giving body and elegance and quite a steep slope to allow the rain to drain away. The estate belongs to Général Liger Belair, owner of the Château de Vosne Romanée. A legendary wine, it will unveil all its qualities after a few years in the cellar. It is then that it will break out into black fruit and spices, evolving towards smoky, woody notes. Very ample, silky and fresh, this Grand Cru presents remarkable complexity and length on the palate.

Romanée Saint Vivant : this "Climat" has existed since the 13th century. In 1232, the monks from the Saint Vivant monastery at Vergy received a donation and for several centuries, this land belonged to the monks. In 1791, everything was confiscated by the nation. The estate was sold in 1793 and then passed into the hands of several owners. Since 1988, the greater part of this "Climat" has belonged to the Domaine de la Romanée-Conti; the soil is different from that of Romanée-Conti, rich in chalk and clay and produces wines with an intense bouquet of fresh earth, very feminine and delicate.

Richebourg : Surrounded by la Romanée et la Romanée Conti, this "Climat" covering 9.27 ha. built up its reputation thanks to its owners, the monks at the abbey at Cîteaux until the French Revolution in 1789. They made the Richebourg wines in the castle at Clos Vougeot where they had built their cellars. This Grand Cru is usually a very deep red colour; on the nose aromas of red fruit and violet evolving towards more animal, spicy notes; a pleasant combination of strength and finesse.

La Tâche : This "Climat" probably gained its name from the word "tâcheron" meaning a worker who tends the vine in exchange for a salary, but has no fixed hours. The first traces of the name go back to 1622. The vineyard covers 6.10 ha. on a shallow slope at an altitude of 300 metres on stony ground ensuring good drainage. La Tâche is both solid and harmonious, like all the Grands Crus of Vosne Romanée.

La Grande Rue : mentioned as early as 1450,this "Climat" has always received the most praiseworthy comments - although this little vineyard of 1.65 ha. was not classed as a Grand Cru until 1992. Previously, the wines from here were sold under the name "Romanée Grande Rue". Situated between the roads of La Romanée vineyard and La Tâche, the land has characteristics which resemble Romanée with eroded, pebbly, chalk ground. A great wine for laying down, it develops aromas of violet, raspberry with musky nuances. A wine of character with lots of body.

Photographic credit : Dominique Pernin