Vosne Romanee 2022 Emmanuel Rouget

Tasting Note

First, aromas of griotte cherries and raspberries emerge, followed by subtle floral notes of rose and violet, with a hint of cool stone lingering behind the fruitiness. On the palate, the Vosne Romanee 2022 is medium-bodied and silky smooth, with delicate tannins that settle subtly, and acidity that is firm enough to prevent the ripe fruit aromas from becoming overpowering. Delicate oak notes are subtly present in the finish rather than dominating the palate. Although it is a young wine, it is highly approachable, yet the finish already offers a glimpse of the truffle and forest aromas to come.

Grape Varieties

Since Vosne-Romanée does not allow any white grapes, the composition of Rouget is determined as follows:

100% Pinot Noir

Since this grape variety reflects the characteristics of the soil more than its own, this is precisely why the distinction between individual lieux-dits is so important here.

Cellaring Potential

The minimum aging period for this wine is about 10 years, and the acidity balance of the 2022 vintage supports this. It is best enjoyed by 2034. While the wine can be enjoyed young, its fruit flavors develop a deeper, more complex character as it ages. For young wine, decant for about an hour and serve at 16-18°C.

About Emmanuel Rouget

Cros Parantoux is the plot that defines this estate: 0.72 of its 1.01 hectares belong to Emmanuel Rouget, and only around 3,000 to 3,500 bottles come out of it each year. Rouget learnt everything from his uncle Henri Jayer, who took him on at the family estate in 1976 and handed over the vineyards from 1996. The method has barely changed since. Full destemming, cold maceration, fermentation in concrete with natural yeasts, then roughly 20 months in oak with a lot of new wood from Taransaud and François Frères. No filtration. Pinot Noir only, from a handful of plots around Vosne-Romanée and Flagey-Échezeaux, plus Échezeaux Grand Cru. Since 2011 sons Nicolas and Guillaume have taken over the vineyards and cellar. Silky, aromatic, mineral, and among the hardest Burgundies to get hold of.

Terroir & Climate

Vosne-Romanée is located on an east-facing slope composed of limestone and clay, while Rouget's village holdings, covering a total area of approximately 1.20 hectares, is situated higher up on that slope, allowing the grapes to ripen slightly more slowly. The stony, limestone-rich soil drains well but retains some moisture, which is crucial during hot years. The slower ripening process means that Pinot Noir retains its natural acidity, and it is precisely this acidity that gives the wine its minerality and potential for long-term aging.

Winemaking

As Henri Jayer has always emphasized, the grape clusters are completely destemmed to prevent the inclusion of green stem tannins that can interfere with the fruit's character. The grapes undergo cold maceration prior to fermentation and are then fermented in concrete tanks using natural yeast. This is a gentler extraction method that preserves a silky-smooth texture. Aging takes place for just over two years in barrels. The wine is bottled unfiltered.

Food Pairing

With its earthy notes, umami flavor, and low tannins, this wine pairs better with mushroom or poultry dishes than with steak. Roasted pigeon with a morel cream sauce is a classic pairing. Veal sweetbreads are also a good match for the same reason, as the tender protein harmonizes with the wine's soft tannins. Braised beef or boeuf bourguignon pairs well with the wine's fruity notes. Porcini risotto is another excellent pairing with this wine, even without meat.