Wines Vosne-Romanée Domaine Clos Frantin - Albert Bishot - 2020

Viniou Reviews

Domaine Clos Frantin’s Vosne-Romanée 2020 “Cuvée Albert Bichot” is an elegant red Burgundy produced from 100% Pinot Noir grapes, as is customary in the appellation. This vintage brings remarkable purity and finesse, expressing the unique character of Vosne-Romanée terroir. The 2020 season experienced balanced weather conditions, with a warm spring and a relatively early harvest, resulting in wines of vibrant fruit, refined tannins, and good concentration. The vinification at Clos Frantin highlights gentle extraction and careful aging in French oak barrels, typically for 12 to 15 months, to preserve both the freshness of the fruit and the subtlety of the terroir.

Vosne-Romanée lies in the heart of the Côte de Nuits, a renowned subregion of Burgundy famed for its prestigious and highly sought-after Pinot Noir-based reds. The soils here are complex, a blend of limestone and clay with traces of iron, providing the perfect foundation for the grape's finesse and aromatic expression. The climate is semi-continental, with marked seasonal contrasts that encourage slow grape ripening, yielding wines with delicacy, depth, and age-worthiness. Historically, Vosne-Romanée is revered for producing some of Burgundy’s greatest Pinot Noir, striking a harmonious balance between power and elegance.

For food pairings, the silky texture and aromatic intensity of this Vosne-Romanée make it ideal with refined dishes. Think of classic regional fare such as coq au vin or a delicate filet de boeuf with a light reduction sauce. Its earthy notes and berry fruit also work beautifully with roast duck breast, mushroom risotto, or even a plate of soft cheeses like Epoisses or Brillat-Savarin.

To fully appreciate its aromatic complexity and supple tannins, this wine should be served slightly cool, ideally at 16-17°C. Decanting for 30 minutes before serving can further enhance the bouquet. Although very enjoyable now, it will evolve gracefully with a few more years in the cellar.