At a glance

Producer

Bruno Desaunay-Bissey

Region

Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Les Beaux-Monts, Burgundy, France

Grape variety

Pinot Noir

Body

Medium-bodied and Earthy

Sweetness

Dry

Typical price

$110-$180 USD

Tasting profile

Raspberry, wild strawberry, violets, rose petals, mild earth, gentle spice, touch of sandalwood oak; very aromatic.

Evolution: Fruit will become darker and more confit with time; earthy sous-bois, truffle, and savory spice complexity will develop. Tannins will resolve, mouthfeel will become silkier.

At peak: Seductive bouquet of rose, dried cherry, forest floor, evolving spice box, and melting tannins—classic aged Beaux-Monts nuance.

Structure

Acidity

High, providing freshness and aging backbone.

Tannins

Fine, moderately firm tannins, very well integrated with some grip typical of Les Beaux-Monts.

Alcohol

13.0-13.5% ABV (typical for the region and year)

Aging potential

15-20 years from vintage; excellent structure and concentration, especially for a Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru from a good vintage.

Drinking window

Peak drinking

2027 to 2043

Optimal window

2024 to 2046

Current status

Approaching prime; drinking window open but true complexity will build with further cellaring.

Current condition

Fresh, vibrant, with emerging tertiary complexity just starting to show.

2018 is a ripe, structured vintage in Burgundy; this Premier Cru from a conscientious estate in Vosne-Romanée is built for the medium-long haul. The pedigree of the vineyard and the vintage's concentration ensure a long drinking plateau, in line with other high-quality Premier Cru Vosne-Romanée wines.

Food pairing

Roast duck with cherry glaze, grilled quail, mushroom risotto, pigeon in red wine sauce, truffle dishes, Comté and aged gruyère.

Serving

Serving temperature

16-18°C / 61-64°F

Decant

Yes (1-2 hours) — Decanting opens intense aromatics and softens youthful tannins, revealing subtle spice and floral notes.

Sustainability

Sustainability score: 6/10

Producer employs sustainable viticulture practices: manual harvesting, limited chemical use, cover crops, and minimal intervention in vineyard and cellar. Vines are largely hand-tended, but estate is not certified organic or biodynamic.

Bruno Desaunay-Bissey is a traditional small grower in Burgundy, employing responsible farming and limited use of chemicals, but not formally certified as organic, biodynamic, or HVE. Inputs (glass, cork, labels) are locally sourced. No public initiatives on carbon offsetting, renewable energy, or sustainable packaging. As a small domain, supply chain is relatively short in France, but carbon footprint increases notably on export. Overall, this places the wine slightly above average for sustainability in Burgundy, but behind estates with formal certification and advanced eco-initiatives.