Gros Frère et Soeur was created in 1963 when Domaine Gros-Renaudot was split up among various Gros family members. The estate’s vineyard holdings are, in a word, choice, including pieces of the Grand Crus Richebourg, Clos de Vougeot, Grand Échézeaux, and Échézeaux. As many of you know, Échézeaux is one of the “grander” Grand Crus in terms of dimensions—at 38 hectares, it’s the fourth-largest single vineyard in the entire Côte d’Or, with 84 different owners farming their own little slices. Gros Frère has become known for a richly textured, deeply colored Pinot Noir from this fabled site, fermenting the grapes in cement vats and aging the wines in 100% new oak.

 

The 2015 vintage, widely regarded as “perfect” from a weather perspective, produced exceptionally concentrated (and often early-drinking) Burgundies, and not surprisingly, Gros Frère—known for deeply concentrated styles to begin with—followed suit. This is as opulent and powerful as red Burgundy gets, with a deep ruby core extending all the way to the rim and an expressive nose of preserved black cherry, wild berries, dark strawberries, black tea, baking spices, forest floor, and a touch of toasty, smoky oak. With about 30 minutes in a decanter it is downright explosive and pleasurable to drink now, but don’t be fooled by its immediate seductiveness—there is plenty of underlying structure for extended cellar aging. At this level, it’s not often that we’re able to advise drinking a bottle now and laying the rest down—but by Grand Cru standards, the price of this wine is surprisingly affordable; enough, perhaps, to allow for a multiple-bottle purchase. Whenever you choose to pull the cork, serve it at 60-65 degrees in large Burgundy stems and allow it to blossom over the course of a serious meal. Pair it with some red wine-braised beef shanks on an occasion worthy of such delicious decadence. It’s a guaranteed winner. Cheers!