This stunning red Burgundy hails from Nuits-Saint-Georges, which is the southernmost commune of the Côte des Nuits and is bordered close to the north by Vosne-Romanée. Nuits-Saint-Georges is one of the oldest villages in Burgundy and boasts history dating back to the Romans and winds through tales of Cistercian monks. Once known simply as Nuits before the famous vineyard of Saint Georges was attached to the village in 1892, Louis XIV’s physician prescribed a daily glass of Nuits to remedy the king’s digestive problems. Pinot Noir from this incredibly historic appellation ranges in style from rustic and tannic to the soft, velvet-like nectar of Vosne. Today’s offer, the 2008 Domaine Daniel Rion & Fils, Nuits-St-Georges, Vieilles Vignes, hails from old vines from three unique parcels. One parcel offers calcareous and limestone soils over marl and boast vines that range in age up to 80 years. The Lavières parcel, with slightly younger vines, is a stone’s throw from Vosne-Romanée. The third parcel is grown on a shallow alluvial cone of calcareous and stony soil. The combined result is a wine that delivers immense concentration, minerality, structural balance and depth thanks to the old vines and unique fingerprint of three distinct terroirs.

Although Domaine Daniel Rion & Fils was only created in 1955 with only two hectares to the family estate, Daniel Rion’s great-grandfather served as staff for Romanée Conti, among other producers. When Daniel’s children joined the family business in 1978, the family began crafting and bottling their wines for the first time. Today, the Domaine comprises vineyards in six villages and owns over eighteen hectares, but the family has continued to stay true to their vigneron roots. The vineyards are organically managed with the exception of one conventional treatment in the spring. All of the grapes are hand tended and harvested. During crush, the grapes are de-stemmed entirely and fed through a gentle gravity press in a successful effort to obtain the softest of tannins. The wine is aged in 50% new French Allier oak. The result more than satisfies your deepest mature red Burgundy addiction for a price point that is totally justifiable.

This wine exhibits a dark garnet core with light garnet and a hint of orange on the meniscus, showing its near eight years of age. The nose of incredible savory complexity is driven by the perfume of wildflowers and slightly dried wild berries infused with a hint of wet forest, hibiscus tea, a touch of raspberry crème, a touch of damp cellar, and exotic spices. The rich, nuanced palate boasts soft, silken yet well-structured tannins, total delicate finesse, and perfect tension. This wine encapsulates everything addicts of mature red Burgundy crave. Pull the cork an hour prior, serve at 60 degrees in a Burgundy stem and watch the wine unfold over 5-10 minutes in the glass. Service temperature is key to experiencing the magnificent aromatic display this wine has to offer. This wine is reaching its peak now although it will continue in a beautiful progression for the next 5-10 years if kept well. I always recommend this recipe for Zuni chicken with red burgundy—it is one of my favorite pairings.