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Domaine Nicolas Rossignol produces an astounding array of Red Burgundy from 30 different appellations in the Cotes de Beaune, remaining relatively under the radar despite 90+ ratings across the portfolio. From a vintage that "hits the bullseye" according to critic James Suckling, this outstanding selection of highly rated 2019 Domaine Nicolas Rossignol premier cru wines exhibits harmonious layers of rich dark fruit, earthy spice and ageworthy structure, each carefully crafted as a pure expression of the soil, now offering a rare opportunity to enjoy highly rated red Burgundy at value pricing.
After leaving home to study at the Lycée Viticole in Beaune, fifth generation Nicolas Rossignol was mentored by Joseph Voillot in Volnay before working as assistant vigneron at Louis Latour, Lafite's Chateau la Cardonne and Chateauneuf du Pape's Vieux Télégraphe, whom Nico credits for inspiring his rich, elegant style of winemaking at Domaine Nicolas Rossignol. Returning to his family's Burgundy estate and establishing his own domain in 1997 with three hectares of inherited vines, Nico eventually merged his vineyards with his family's holdings, producing Burgundies on over 17 hectares of biodynamically farmed vineyards. Recognizing the individual character of each plot and the special qualities of the vintage, Nico prefers to vinify each unique terroir separately, often breaking down single parcels with extreme attention to detail. For the Volnay Santenots, all three soil types within the parcel are vinified separately, in Nico's words "to make a marriage between the elegance of the lower slopes and the power of the rockier upper section" before blending. Fermenting with indigenous yeasts, Nico employs a range of new wood barrels from 0% up to 50%, aging the wines for between 10 and 20 months on the lees before bottling without fining or filtration.
While Volnay wines are often classified as "feminine" and those from Pommard as "masculine," Nicolas Rossignol rejects these generalizations, instead showcasing each of his wine's diverse terroirs through thoughtful, intuitive winemaking. Driven by "energy and passion" according to Vinous critic Antonio Galloni, Nicolas Rossignol's highly rated 2019 Premier Crus boast exceptional balance and elegant complexity priced well below their pedigree to enjoy now and for years to come, an easy buy for lovers of red Burgundy and fans of elegant Pinot Noir. |