| Situated in the star-studded Puligny-Montrachet appellation of Burgundy, Domaine Robert Ampeau et Fils boasts a beautiful collection of the region’s finest Premier Cru plots, four of them in the prestigious climat of Meursault. Today, the domaine is run by Michel Ampeau, who took over in 2004 from his father Robert, known around Burgundy for his innovative approach to viticulture. Unlike most Burgundy domaines, the Ampeau family releases their wines on the market only when they are deemed fully ready, following Robert’s ethos of showing respect to the product. By the time we receive them, these wines have aged for over 20 years in the bottle, perfect to be enjoyed now, but still fresh enough to age a decade or two longer in your cellar.
These are Burgundy wines that combine a fruity purity, high intensity and remarkable ability to age, very complex yet shockingly youthful after so much time in bottle. The estate's intense, elegant whites are complemented by enchanting, smooth and balanced reds, like the sophisticated and fresh fruit forward Pommard Village and the earthier Premier Cru « Santenots » with brooding aromas of forest floor and black tea complementing rich dark fruit and anise.
The wines of Domaine Robert Ampeau et Fils are absolute must-have’s for any Burgundy wine lover.
QUESTIONS & ORDERS
CALL US
|
|
|
|
| Ampeau's Pommard vines are actually in a single lieux-dit called Les Vaumuriens though not indicated on the label. The vineyard is just above Premier Cru Les Rugiens. The parcel was acquired in the 1950s by Robert Ampeau.
$120
|
|
|
|
| Volnay-Santenots is among the appellation's southernmost sites (closest to Meursault). It's situated on the mid-slope section of the hillside. Michel Ampeau's grandfather acquired the first vines in the early-1900s before his father, Robert, acquired more in the 1950s.
Clay-limestone soils that are notably more red in appearance than its neighbors, signifying a greater presence of clay and a higher content of iron which lends more structure.
$285
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| The terroir of Santenots (characterized by a thin, red, iron-rich, heavy clay soil lying just above subsoil of hard limestone) tends to result in bigger wines than is typical for Volnay, so it’s more than likely Ampeau’s winemaking style and the nature of the 1976 vintage (a hot, dry summer led to powerful, tannic wines) that account for this wine’s personality. Impressively, this remarkably youthful wine exhibited no roasted or cooked aromas and flavors, and matched extremely well with the lamb broth, the stew and the heart preparations.
$299.99
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
