2007 Nuits-St Georges, Vieilles Vignes, Domaine Michèle & Patrice Rion

Nuits St Georges is one of Burgundy’s most evocative names, the centre for the region’s best district for red wines – the Côte de Nuits. There is even a bottle of Nuits St Georges buried in a lunar crater, following on from a reference in Jules Verne’s Journey to the Moon. Patrice Rion is based in Prémeaux, just south of Nuits St Georges.

To supplement production from his own domaine, he buys in grapes from reliable local vignerons. This Nuits St Georges from old vines has been matured for 18 months in barrel, with 50% new oak. The 2007 growing season was exceptionally early in Burgundy, but the wines have ripe fruit and charm but not the exceptional density of the greatest years - however they are already delicious to drink. This wine would be a very good match for duck or feathered game.