Tasting

A fine bold colour heralds plenty of fruit on the nose. The bouquet shows an attractive ripeness of dark fruit, while there is a welcome structure on the palate, ripe tannins and a little fresh acidity, which will enable this cuvee to keep well across the medium term.

Food matching

Why not pair it with mildly spiced food, like a lamb tajine, smoked sausages or a veggie wok.

History

Hugues Bétault was an Equerry and Councillor to the King of France, who in the mid-17th century saved the Hôtel-Dieu from ruin, following grievous wars and epidemics. He bought land for kitchen and flower gardens, and built an airy infirmary. His brother Louis made further generous donations, after the death of Hugues.

Terroirs

Les Aigrots 0.43 ha.,

La Mignotte 0.55 ha.,

Les Grèves 0.65 ha.

Tasting

Bright cherry-red color. A good level of concentration both on the nose and in the palate. A well-balanced wine, sometimes discreet but with a real charm.

Food matching

Red-meet fondue, buckweat pancakes (Brittany style!) or lasagna.

History

Maurice Drouhin was for many years Administrator of the Hospices de Beaune, and was then Vice-President of its administrative Commission from 1941 to 1955. At the same time, he ran the Beaune négociant-éleveur Joseph Drouhin. His generous donation of top vineyards constitutes one of the largest Cuvées of Beaune 1er Cru in the Domaine des Hospices (covering 2.69 ha.). 40% of the land lies in Les Avaux, 25% each being Champs Pimonts and Boucherottes, the balance Les Grèves.

Terroirs

Les Avaux 1.08 ha.,
Les Boucherottes 0.7 ha.,
Champs Pimonts 0.66 ha.,
Les Grèves 0.26 ha.

Tasting

The colour is attractive in various hues of bright red. Nose: dark berries and currants. Intense palate, with significant tannins at the back, and a mineral crunch to finish.

Food matching

Roasted chicken with thyme, veal blanquette with mustard.

History

Nicolas Rolin, Chancellor of the Duke of Burgundy Philippe le Bon, founded the Hôtel-Dieu in Beaune in 1443. From 1452, nursing sisters, who had been brought from Flanders, welcomed and cared for the first patients in the great Paupers’ Ward. The Cuvée was enlarged in 1963 thanks to a legacy made by Madame Maurice Pallegoix in memory of her husband, who was mayor of Demigny. The oldest vines in the Cuvée are Les Cent Vignes, representing 54% of the surface, and Les Teurons (19%), which were respectively planted between 1953 and 1975, and 1950 and 1955.

Terroirs

Les Cent Vignes 1.35 ha.,
Les Teurons 0.47 ha.,
Les Grèves 0.36 ha.,
En Genêt 0.18 ha.,
Les Bressandes 0.16 ha.

Tasting

Rich mid purple colour offers a promise of a fine mix of red and black fruit, lively and appealing nose. A Beaune cuvee that always offers a suave texture.

Food matching

Mushroom risotto, rack of lamb with a herb crust, mild-cheese

History

In 1645, Antoine Rousseau and Barbe Deslandes founded the Hôpital de la Sainte-Trinité, later known as the Hospice de la Charité. It was joined to the Hôtel-Dieu to form the Hospices de Beaune at the time of the Revolution. Its rôle has evolved with time. Initially, it welcomed orphans after plague epidemics; today it is an old people’s home. Les Cent Vignes with the majority of its vines dating between 1944 and 1958 is at the heart of this Cuvée (60% of the plantings). Close to Pommard, Les Montrevenots represents the balance of the Cuvée, with all its vines planted prior to 1966.

Terroirs

Les Cent Vignes 1,06 ha.,
Les Mignottes 0.42 ha.,
Les Montrevenots 0.71 ha.