Domaine Gros Frere et Soeur Clos Vougeot Grand Cru 2017

The name 'Gros' is particularly ubiquitous in Vosne-Romanée where, following the splitting up of Jean Gros' large vineyard holdings between his four children in 1964, there are now multiple domaines operating under the Gros name. Domaine Gros Frère et Soeur is one of the most significant of these domaines, being formed of the amalgamation of two inheritances, and includes Grand Cru vines in Clos Vougeot, Echezeaux and Richebourg. The wines are amongst Burgundy's richest and most extracted, with plenty of heft and intense fruit character to stand up to extensive use of new oak. Bernard Gros replanted a large part of his holdings in the 1980s and it will be very exciting to see how good the wines become as the vineyards continue to mature. For many years, Bernard Gros declassified his parcel of Echezeaux and Vosne “Chaumes” Premiers Cru into the village level Vosne Romanee, which made it one of the best values around. Now that there are enough high quality grapes coming from those vineyards, however, Bernard will make an Echezeaux and Vosne “Chaumes” every year. Value hunters shouldn’t be too disappointed though as some of the grapes from Echezeaux and “Chaumes” will be declassified into the new Vosne Romanee Premiers Cru (no vineyard designate) as well as the village Vosne. While the wines of Gros Frere definitely reflect the character of each vineyard, they are made in a distinct style. They are very ripe, intensely concentrated and aged in relatively high percentages of new, high toast oak barrels. The toast imparts a nice spicy character which is well balanced by the intense fresh fruit flavors.