DOMAINE CONFURON-GINDRE
A New Evolution in Vosne-Romanée
I'm thrilled to offer you the range of Domaine Confuron-Gindre today. It is a very rare opportunity to find such a jewel of a Domaine in Vosne-Romanée making superb wines still deeply under the radar. It is mostly due to the fact that Francois Confuron-Gindre was selling directly to private clients for a long time, and only a select few distributors in Europe.
However, since Edouard, Francois' son, returned to the Domaine after studying at the Beaune Wine University, the style has evolved enough to put these wines on the great quality map, and the doors are now open to importers!
Of course you haven't tried these wines yet, but I can assure you of the quality, as well as a propensity, in these wines to easily seduce – even when young. The tannins are all silk, and the style is one which displays terroir transparency with everything you're looking for from such beautiful vineyards. As it is with Burgundy we couldn't get much of each of the Premier Crus and of the Grand Cru Échezeaux, but I would deeply recommend securing a case of the Vosne-Romanée Village since it is the perfect Pinot for any given occasion.
About Confuron-Gindre
Domaine Confuron-Gindre was established six generations ago in Vosne-Romanée and is located on Rue de La Tâche. A great sign!
Though they don't own the Monopole of La Tâche (Romanée-Conti does), François Confuron-Gindre owns a myriad of ideally located vineyards in Vosne-Romanée alongside a smattering in Nuits-St-Georges and Gevrey-Chambertin. The Domaine accounts for 11 hectares, including five Village wines across the aforementioned appellations; four Premier Crus in Vosne-Romanée; and one Grand Cru from Échezeaux. A blessing, considering Vosne-Romanée is the holy grail for Pinot Noir lovers.
The Domaine has been under the radar for quite some time, but since Edouard, Francois's son, is gradually taking over, the word is out!
Historically, Francois banned herbicides early on and started to plough the soils to boost biodiversity, encouraging the roots to dig deeper. Across the Domaine, the average age of the vines is old, providing nicely concentrated grapes. The winemaking is gentle, with smart use of oak to champion the elegance and silkiness of Pinot Noir without upsetting the balance. These are wines we love!
Watch out for this Domaine since the quality is apparent, and from 2017 onwards, improvements are being implemented to boost the complexity further.
For now, it remains a connoisseur's secret!
Tasting notes below
- COTEAUX BOURGIUGNONS - 2017
The Coteaux Bourguignon is a buoyant, entry-level classification, which highlights Burgundy’s fun and approachable side. The 2017 cuvée is a blend of 2/3 Pinot Noir and 1/3 Gamay hailing from a few plots, located at several different locations throughout Nuits-St-Georges and Vosne-Romanée. The wine is fully destemed, fermented and aged in stainless steel vats.
The bouquet is lush and seductive, presenting zippy blackberry and raspberry fruit, peppered beef, mushrooms and black tea leaves. One the palate, the wine coats the mouth with a delicious mixed berry profile and silky, polished tannins. It’s a finessed rendition, something that is hard to find at this level, for enjoying with lighter dishes like pork, roast chicken, Thai beef salad, and charcuterie. Drink now by the dozen. 2/3 Pinot Noir, 1/3 Gamay.
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BOURGOGNE PINOT NOIR - 2017
The Bourgogne Pinot Noir cuvée comes from a blend of several plots, all with their own characteristics, located in different parcels within Vosne-Romanée. The total area comprises 2.46 ha, featuring vines of up to 80 years old (the youngest from 1992). This wine is aged for 18 months before release, one year in French oak barrels and six months in bottle.
This pure-fruited gem is an intense, structured Pinot Noir. The Bouquet provides an explosion of cherries and raspberries with earthy aromas of figs and mushrooms, leading to a dense tannin structure. Enjoy with duck confit, sweet and sour pork, mushroom pasta and cheese platters. Drink now with a 30 minute decant. 100% Pinot Noir.
- VOSNE-ROMANÉE - 2017
This Vosne-Romanée derives from a blend of 10 different plots with a total surface area of 2.37 ha. Each plot brings its own character to the assembly. There are vines between 30 and 70 years old, all located near the village from sites such as "Prés de la Folie." This wine ages in barrels over a period of around 18 months with 20% to 30% new oak depending on the vintage.
The bouquet has bright and dense aromas of ripe dark fruit with hints of dried violet, rose petal and smoky spice. The palate is classy and penetrating, with strong aromas of redcurrant and black cherries, alongside brisk acidity and minerality that precedes a pepper-and-spice stem influence, energising the black fruit and violet flavours. It can be enjoyed with game dishes like duck and quail, kangaroo, smoked meats and charred eggplant. Drink now or age till 2025+. 100% Pinot Noir.
- NUITS-ST-GEORGES - 2017
This cuvée comprises four plots on the southern border of Vosne-Romanée, each aged between 15-80 years, covering a total surface area of 1.34 ha. The wine spends 18 months in barrel (30% new).
The bouquet is structured, full of flair, built on aromas of ripe dark fruit with hints of forest floor, smoky oak, and Christmas cake spice. The palate has a deep fruit profile reminiscent of blackcurrants and black cherries alongside bright, incisive acidity and mineral tones that accentuate the spice-and-vanilla-charred tannin structure. It can be enjoyed with venison, veal, duck, quail, kangaroo, smoked meats and charred eggplant. Drink now with a one-hour decant or age till 2027+. 100% Pinot Noir.
- VOSNE-ROMANÉE “HAUTE MAIZIERES” - 2017
This has always been a Vosne lieu-dit of quality. The vines here sit just below “Les Suchots” and Grand Cru “Echezeaux”, and right beside Grand Cru Clos de Vougeot, with the average age of vines sitting at 60 years. The wine spends 18 months in oak (30% new).
The bouquet is wonderfully floral, infused with sleek, intense red currants, cranberries and hints of crushed stone and forest floor. The palate is beautifully focused, showing strawberry and black cherries with a perfect line of acidity, accenting the spice-and-vanilla-charred tannin structure. It can be enjoyed with venison, veal, duck, quail, kangaroo, smoked meats and charred eggplant. Drink now with a one-hour decant or age till 2027+. 100% Pinot Noir.
- VOSNE-ROMANÉE 1ER CRU “LES CHAUMES” - 2017
Located above “Clos de Réas”, the origin of the word "Chaumes" comes from the fact that these lands were left uncultivated for a long time before being planted. “Les Chaumes” is one of the oldest plots in the area, planted in 1919 and 1920, and there are still 100-year-old vines active within the plot. When they die of old age, they are uprooted and replaced by young plants. The wine spends 18 months in oak (40% new).
The bouquet is seductive and textural, built upon aromas of ripe cherry and strawberry with hints of cinnamon, vanilla and sandalwood. The palate has a deep fruit profile featuring strawberry and black cherry that accents the spice-and-vanilla-charred tannin structure. It can be enjoyed with venison, veal, duck, quail, kangaroo, smoked meats and charred eggplant. Drink now with a one-hour decant or age till 2027+. 100% Pinot Noir.
- VOSNE-ROMANÉE 1ER CRU "LES BEAUMONTS" - 2017
This comes from a 0.0592ha plot planted in 1994 on very stony, even rocky, soil. It is vinified with 25% whole bunches. Located mid-hill, the exposure of this plot is in the direction of the hillside, facing due east above the plots of Echezeaux.
The Bouquet is a explosion of energy in the glass, with plenty of cherries and raspberries with earthy aromas of spice and perfumed figs. The palate has incredible intensity of red and black fruit followed by driven spice and minerals, leading to a dense tannin structure. Enjoy with duck confit, sweet and sour pork, mushroom pasta and cheese platters. Drink now with a 30-minute decant. 100% Pinot Noir.
- 2017 VOSNE-ROMANÉE 1ER CRU "LES BRULÉES"
Confuron-Gindre's holding of "Les Brûlées", a 0.117ha plot, is situated on the "Cros Parentoux" side facing north east next to the Grand Cru, with vine ages averaging 50 years old. This is a small cuvee of 2.5 barrels, containing 30% whole bunches and spends 18 months in oak (40% new).
The bouquet is sensual and driven, with dense aromas of ripe cherry, purple and black berries with hints of cinnamon, vanilla and stony minerals. The palate has a deep fruit profile of black cherries and bramble fruit that accents the spiced, mineral tannin structure. It can be enjoyed with venison, veal, duck, quail, kangaroo, smoked meats and charred eggplant. Drink now with a one-hour decant or age till 2027+. 100% Pinot Noir.
- ECHEZEAUX GRAND CRU - 2017
The Echezeaux comes from a 0.3-hectare plot, with shallow soil providing great drainage for the roots. The vines are between 50 and 90 years old and are afflicted by millerandage, resulting in smaller, concentrated berries, which provide brilliant fruit concentration. The fine tannin structure is superb. This wine spends 18 months in 50% new oak.
The bouquet bursts from the glass with purple florals and aromas of ripe cherry, strawberry and hints of coffee bean. The palate has a deep, juicy fruit profile with raspberries and dark cherries that drive the phenolic green tea acidity and tannin. It can be enjoyed with venison, veal, duck, quail, kangaroo, smoked meats and charred eggplant. Drink now with a one-hour decant or age till 2030+. 100% Pinot Noir