Vintage Character 2018 was a hot, early and generous season that gave both quality and quantity in the Côte d'Or. Reds were less consistent in the Côte de Nuits, where some wines were over-extracted, so grower choice matters. In 2018, the Ladoix from Domaine Parent reflects that season. Ladoix lies at the northern end of the Côte de Beaune, next to the hill of Corton. A village wine comes from vineyards within a single commune and carries the name of that commune or site.
Tasting Profile & Food Pairing Red cherry, wild strawberry and a touch of earth lead the nose. It is dry, medium-bodied, with medium-high acidity and medium tannins. The palate is lively and direct, with fine tannins and a rustic charm. With age it shows forest floor and dried herbs. Roast chicken, pork dishes and soft cheeses suit its easy character. Serve at about 16 to 18 degrees Celsius in a wide glass, and decant a young bottle for a short time if you like. Pinot Noir is a thin-skinned grape that shows differences of site and vintage clearly, which is why Burgundy takes vineyard names so seriously. Firm cheeses such as Comté also work, as do soy-braised dishes that are not too sweet. A wine of this weight rewards a few minutes in the glass, when the fruit settles and the spice and savoury notes come forward.
Winery Background Domaine Parent was established in Pommard in 1803 by Claude Parent, and the family's presence in Burgundy dates back to the 17th century. Sisters Anne and Catherine Parent, the 12th generation, took over from their father Jacques, with Anne responsible for viticulture and winemaking and Catherine running the commercial side. The estate covers about 10 hectares, all in the Côte de Beaune, and produces wines at every level from regional to grand cru, mainly red, with Pommard as its signature. This village-level red is the entry to the estate's Côte de Beaune range. Anne and Catherine Parent took charge of the domaine in 1998.