Philippe Engel, grandson of the eponymous René, took over this 7 hectare domaine on the death of his father in 1981. He was only 26 at the time and subsequently made the domaine into one of the best in Vosne-Romanée. Philippe Engel used an ancient wooden basket press (low pressure) and then ferments at relatively high temperatures. He kept the amount of sulphur he used and filtration and fining to a bare minimum.

The percentage of new oak employed has increased over the years, with 50% of the village cuvée matured in oak, whereas the Grand Crus are now aged in 50/50 new and one-year-old barrels. Philippe Engel produced big, succulent, flamboyant and individual wines which age impressively.

Tragically Philippe died unexpectedly at the age of 49 while on holiday in Tahiti enjoying his favourite pastime of sailing. From 2006 the domaine has belonged to the Francois Pinault group.