70
Drink it now or cellar for up to 10 years. No need to decant, but best to open it half an hour before service. Fourth generation Burgundian landowner Sophie Meunier and her husband took on Domaine Jean-Jacques when her father could no longer manage the property in the mid-1980s. The couple had studied winemaking together and converted the estate to organic viticulture after an inspiring lecture by Claude Bourguignon, an expert in soil microbiology. In total they have eight hectares of vineyards across 12 appellations in the Côte de Nuits. This fine cuvee comes from Confuron’s Les Fleurieres plot in Nuits-Saint-Georges. It’s an elegant introduction to the domaine’s philosophy of “power without weight” expressed by an intense depth of flavor carefully balanced with freshness and poise. The grapes are hand selected in the vineyard for optimum quality and then completely destemmed before fermentation in temperature-controlled cement tanks. After a period resting on the lees the wine moves to oak barriques for 15-18 months before bottling. Meticulous winemaking and exceptional terroir give this wine an undeniable grace in the glass with delicate aromas of bitter licorice, earthy truffles, and crushed red cherries and redcurrants. The first sip reveals a medium body, silky yet firm tannins, and a bright streak of acidity that brings clarity and focus to the overall flavor profile. A magnificent bottle to enjoy now or cellar for a few more years.