Jean-Claude Ramonet

We’ve written about a few Ramonet reds individually over the years, usually because one particular bottle gave us a reason to. It was not that long ago we were forced to take some of the red wines in order to get the whites - nobody wanted the wines. But now with the warmer climate and the soaring prices for the whites, I’m seeking out the red wines on their own as they are truly exceptional!

Chassagne has a long history with Pinot Noir, even if Chardonnay eventually became the village’s calling card. Over time, plenty of red vineyards were replanted to the more valuable white grape. Ramonet held onto a meaningful amount of Pinot Noir, and as warmer vintages have changed the equation in the Côte de Beaune, those holdings have become increasingly interesting.

There’s something happening with Ramonet Rouge. The whites have long occupied the upper reaches of Burgundy, but the reds are beginning to carry a reputation of their own. And looking across what I have bought recently, from village Chassagne through the 1er crus of Morgeot, Boudriotte, Clos de la Boudriotte and Clos Saint-Jean, across three vintages—you get a pretty remarkable look at just how significant this part of Ramonet has become and how much I really like the wines. All you have to do is to taste the wines to realize how delicious these wines really are.

There’s a generosity to the fruit in these more recent vintages, but Ramonet hasn’t lost the freshness or structure that gives Chassagne Rouge its character. The more of these wines we’ve tasted and followed, the clearer it’s become that the reds deserve the same serious attention we’ve always given the whites. Giving them the spotlight felt long overdue.

There’s a new chapter being written for red Chassagne, and Ramonet looks very much a part of it. I, for one, am enjoying watching it unfold.

No great quantity on any of these cuvees and no reviews to speak of. These wines were all acquired through tasting and come with my highest recommendation.