Third generation Guillaume Tardy combines the best of both worlds in today’s superb red Burgundy from “Au Bas de Combe,” a prime vineyard that essentially straddles Vosne-Romanée and Nuits-Saint-Georges. Downslope from “Les Damodes,” cater-corner to “aux Malconsorts,” and a few minutes’ jog from Vosne’s famed “La Tâche”—“Au Bas de Combe” is a hotspot for vine royalty.
From this vineyard, Guillaume hand-farms barely one acre of old Pinot Noir vines that were planted way back in 1937, and the resulting wines are indescribably good, always showcasing Vosne-Romanée elegance and N-S-G power. But, in the extraordinary high-quality, low-quantity 2010 vintage, these breathtaking notes were magnified tenfold. As such, Jean Tardy has become an ever-essential Burgundy label that has gained a prominent foothold in the luxury restaurant and fine retail scene. Take the Michelin star-studded cast of Alain Ducasse’s Parisian restaurants, like Plaza Athénée and Le Meurice. These are once-in-a-lifetime treats that provide an impeccable experience from the moment you walk in the door. Many will say, the French especially, that the wine is as important as the food—which is why you’ll find Jean Tardy’s limited labels populating blue-chip lists. Somehow, someway, a tiny portion of this superb 2010 found its way stateside, and we didn’t hesitate when it was made available to us. Neither should you!