2015 Remoissenet Pere et Fils Bourgogne Rouge 750 ml

Jadot, Parker, and a New York Financier

The story of Remoissenet is simple: Louis Jadot, Robert Parker’s longtime critic, and a New York financier put their heads together on how to craft the best “new” Burgundy from France’s most hallowed terroir. Twelve years after its founding, their brainchild is one of the most beloved domaines in Burgundy, and one that makes New World Pinot Noir look expensive in a rare role-reversal.

Today’s killer 2015 Remoissenet Bourgogne Rouge is the over-achiever—a fleshy, rich, spicy, open knit Pinot Noir—that stunned our judging panel. It offers that rare bargain-priced glimpse into what all the fuss is about when it comes to serious Burgundy.

Here’s how:

In late 2006, Pierre-Antoine Rovani made headlines when he abruptly quit writing for Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate. Rovani had been Parker’s lead critic for France’s Loire, Alsace, Languedoc-Roussillon, and Champagne regions, as well as for South Africa, Germany, Austria, and New Zealand. Where did Rovani go after giving the customary two weeks notice? Straight to Remoissenet, where he was named President—a post he holds today.

Long after Rovani departed, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate continued (and continues) its effuse admiration: “Their policy is to buy at a premium in order to acquire the best fruit, except for the 2.5-hectare of the vineyard that they own themselves. With general manager and former Louis Jadot president Bernard Repolt...this has been one of the region’s recent success stories.”

Just last year, Vinous’ Antonio Galloni noted, “I was deeply impressed with the wines I tasted on my most recent visit,” while Stephen Tanzer writes, “It’s worth noting that many of Remoissenet’s wines are from appellations that are not often seen on the wine labels, as the firm for years has exploited what it sees as a gap in the market for affordable Burgundies.”   

To that end, the 2015 Remoissenet proves Tanzer’s point in spades: Grapes from declassified sites in Pommard and Volnay deliver an absolutely gorgeous Bourgogne—aromas of dried cherries, morels, and allspice set the stage for more tart Ranier cherries, cloves, licorice and cola on the palate. Wonderful focus, purity, and length in the middle and back-end of the mouth give way to a cleansing finish that just begs for another sip. Here is a Pinot Noir that neatly displays the flesh and concentration of the lauded 2015 vintage—it is on par with Premier Cru Pommard, punching well above its weight class.

While biodynamic farming of special, coveted microsites begins the story of Remoissenet, and 150-year-old hand-carved cellars aging precious bottles of each vintage reveals more of why the producer is so unique, it is the high pitch of widespread critical praise that tells us why we stock Remoissenet by the case. No matter your preferred critic—Spectator, Decanter, The Advocate, or Vinous—Remoissenet is a cherished producer and one remarkably able to produce stunning Burgundy across the price spectrum.