2016 Albert Bichot Clos de L'Ermitage Rouge Beaune 750 ml

The winding country lanes of Burgundy, which twist and turn among undulating hillsides responsible for the world’s most coveted wines, don’t give any secrets away. As clouds roll over the sky and cast shadows across densely-planted rows of grapevines, there are no flashing signs or tour buses—just rough-hewn stone walls made by the monks who first toiled this hallowed ground, moving stones and charting the best sites for ethereal Pinot Noirs.

The 2016 Albert Bichot Beaune Clos de l’Ermitage is one of those Pinots. It’s the type of red whose aroma transports us back to Burgundy, and one sip sends us zooming down the country lanes of the Côte d’Or. By the time the finish wanes, returning to reality feels like punishment.

The Clos de l'Ermitage hails from a lieu-dit in Montagne Saint-Désiré in the elevated hills of Beaune, overlooking Pommard to the south. The wine has all the trappings of a Premier Cru bottle, with real elegance and complexity, courtesy of the terrific 2016 vintage, which critic Stephen Tanzer, in his review in Vinous, called “hauntingly beautiful.”  

Little wonder, when you consider the pedigree of the Bichot family, residents of Burgundy since the 14th century and wine producers since 1831. Quality and longevity are synonymous with the Bichot name, but the current generation, led by Albéric Bichot, refuses to rest on its laurels. Albéric introduced organic viticulture in the family’s Cote d’Or vineyards and continues to push the envelope on quality—and at the 2017 International Wine Challenge awards, he was named Red Winemaker of the Year.

Take one sip of this Pinot and you’ll understand why.