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Philippe Rossignol, Côte de Nuits-Villages

Other, France 2014 (750mL)
Regular price$30.00
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Philippe Rossignol, Côte de Nuits-Villages

Burgundy’s Côte de Nuits is sacred ground for Pinot Noir, as is evident on nearly any label you see: The place name is usually much bigger than the producer name. Having witnessed breathtaking vineyard vistas in communes like Vosne-Romanée, Gevrey-Chambertin, and Chambolle-Musigny, it’s only natural that a vigneron would feel humbled by his surroundings.
These vineyard sites are centuries in the making and vines are rooted deep in limestone, which is why burgeoning producers can thrive here—as long as they have an adept hand in traditional winemaking. Enter Domaine Philippe Rossignol, established some 40 years ago yet a relative “new kid on the block.” Today’s Côte de Nuits-Villages is sourced from prestigious villages we’ve all come to respect, but since there isn’t a commune or specific vineyard named, it’s at a price we’ve all got to love. And, as with most family trees here, there is a close connection to one of Burgundy’s all-star cult producers: Joseph Roty is Philippe’s brother-in-law, so there is no lack of prestige here. Still under the radar, Rossignol has crafted a pure, soulful, wonderfully fresh red that matches Premier Cru quality despite its catchall appellation. Rossignol wines have only recently been discovered and imported to the US—you’re one of the first to get your hands on some, so make sure you do!
Philippe Rossignol established his eponymous domaine in the mid-1970s. At the time, he was only in his twenties, but, as with most families in Burgundy, he enjoyed a deep-rooted history in the vines. Located in the heart of Gevrey-Chambertin, Philippe, now with the help of his son, Sylvain, crafts beautiful expressions of red Burgundy across a range of terroirs. Though they didn’t own any Premier Cru vines until the early 1990s, their wines, regardless of designation, have always been pure, top-quality expressions of place. 

Today, the domaine remains small and is entirely worked by hand. They currently own 17 acres throughout Côte de Nuits both outright and en fermage, a long lease agreement (nine years minimum) that comes with the right of automatic renewal. They limit yields and always hand-harvest their crop. In the winery, grapes are entirely destemmed and after a cool fermentation, they are aged in mostly neutral French oak. 

In the glass, Rossignol’s 2014 Côte de Nuits-Villages shows a brilliant, deep ruby core with light ruby, nearly pink reflections on the rim. The nose is softly perfumed with seductive notes of fruit, florality, and minerality; exactly what I crave in top red Burgundy. Expect high-toned black cherry, ripe black raspberry, Damson plum, and pomegranate melded with a combination of dried herbs, purple and red flowers, crushed stone, damp moss, forest floor, and a subtle mix of baking spices. We were floored by this wine’s depth and complexity on the palate. It is medium-bodied, but has the amplitude and layered texture of top Premier Cru bottlings. This is a seamless wine, full of well-rounded tannins and a rush of freshness that points to a lengthy life. I recommend drinking after a 30-minute decant, but don’t feel the need to rush this wine—it will evolve beautifully over the coming decade and beyond. Serve at 60-65 degrees in Burgundy stems with the attached pork preparation, which offers up some complementary flavors for this truly special wine. Cheers!
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France

Bourgogne

Beaujolais

Enjoying the greatest wines of Beaujolais starts, as it usually does, with the lay of the land. In Beaujolais, 10 localities have been given their own AOC (Appellation of Controlled Origin) designation. They are: Saint Amour; Juliénas; Chénas; Moulin-à Vent; Fleurie; Chiroubles; Morgon; Régnié; Côte de Brouilly; and Brouilly.

Southwestern France

Bordeaux

Bordeaux surrounds two rivers, the Dordogne and Garonne, which intersect north of the city of Bordeaux to form the Gironde Estuary, which empties into the Atlantic Ocean. The region is at the 45th parallel (California’s Napa Valley is at the38th), with a mild, Atlantic-influenced climate enabling the maturation of late-ripening varieties.

Central France

Loire Valley

The Loire is France’s longest river (634 miles), originating in the southerly Cévennes Mountains, flowing north towards Paris, then curving westward and emptying into the Atlantic Ocean near Nantes. The Loire and its tributaries cover a huge swath of central France, with most of the wine appellations on an east-west stretch at47 degrees north (the same latitude as Burgundy).

Northeastern France

Alsace

Alsace, in Northeastern France, is one of the most geologically diverse wine regions in the world, with vineyards running from the foothills of theVosges Mountains down to the Rhine River Valley below.

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