ABOUT: Domaine des Rouges Queues is new to us, as well as wines made in the Maranges AOC at the south end of the Cote d’Or. And a Gamay no less. In 1998 Isabelle and Jean-Yves Vantey founded their winery in Sampigny-les-Maranges and have slowly acquire 5-6 hectares of vines spanning several appellations, all organic and biodynamic practices in play. The work in the vineyards is meticulous, even though they may appear in disarray to their neighbors with unruly wild grasses. The work in the cellar is non-interventionist with spontaneous fermentations, minimal SO2, and the use of open top fermenters with the occasional pump over. The wines Isabelle and Jean-Yves make are beautiful, a word that sounds glib but really does best to describe this Gamay. Balanced, fresh, and made with a thoughtful hand. And affordable. This is what we want from Burgundy. TASTE: Sometimes you get lucky and pick a winner and this Gamay from Domaine des Rouges Queues is it. An outstanding wine with lifted aromas of strawberries, cherries, tangy orange peel, balsamic vinegar, damp soil, and sweet tobacco. Dry with a medium body, low tannins and high acidity. The flavors are peppery, bright and fresh, all strawberries and cherries with orange marmalade, black pepper and sea salt. This is young and has tons of potential to become an absolute stunner in the next ten years. We’re enjoying it now though, perfect with our roasted mushroom pasta dinner. We got the last few bottles, best jump on this one.
PAIR: Black pepper tofu with bok choy, gruyere macaroni and cheese, Greek salad with avocado, grilled vegetable fajitas, garlic butter mushroom and provolone sandwich, and Goji berry fried rice.
