2017 Domaine Forey Pere et Fils Vosne-Romanée is among the classically styled “old school” Burgundies from one of the best places on Earth for Pinot Noir.
Domaine Forey Story
In 1987 Régis Forey, the current proprietaire, started at the Domaine, established in 1840 by his great-grandfather. 1989 was the first vintage when Régis was solely responsible for all aspects of production and winemaking.
In contrast to his father’s wines, who produced seductive wines of finesse and delicacy, Régis aimed for a more masculine personality with exceptional concentration and depth.
The Forey Domaine now holds about 10 hectares of vineyards, 5 as proprietaire, and 5 through fermage (land lease) and metayage (farm sharing) systems. The primary family vineayard plots are in Nuits Saint Georges, Vosne-Romanée and Flagey-Echezeaux. The Domaine extends its reach into Vougeot and Morey Saint-Denis with the recent additions.
2017 Domaine Forey Pere Vosne-Romanee
In the Bottle
The grapes for this village-level Vosne Pinot Noir come from fourteen small parcels planted between 1942 and 1974, mainly in the northern part of the appellation.
The hand-harvested grapes spend 3-4 days in a cold maceration. The fermentation usually takes three to four weeks, with the malolactic fermentation in a barrel.
Ageing takes 16-20 months in small oak barrels and demi-muids, with 20% to 50% new oak used depending on the character of the vintage and quantity of each individual cuvée. The wine is bottled unfined and unfiltered.
Are you thirsty yet? Let’s find out how did it taste.
In the Glass
While distinctly Burgundian barnyard notes set it apart, the aroma of red cherry, Kirsch (the black Morello Cherry liqueur), earth, and mushrooms reminded us of some Oregon Pinot Noirs. As it opened up in a decanter, the sandalwood aroma complemented the fruit.
We tasted black cherry, fresh and dried strawberries, and, surprisingly, fresh dill. The lengthy finish was filled with dried apricot and vanilla.
Aftertaste and Impressions
We had a very high expectation from 2017 Domaine Forey Pere et Fils Pinot Noir coming from the most exclusive and most expensive wine parcel on Earth – Vosne-Romanée. How did it do?
While it reminded us of Pinot Noir from Willamette Valley of Oregon, the distinctly Burgundian barnyard aroma and pronounced tannins set it apart.
Still, while it wasn’t Romanée-Conti ($20,000), Domaine Leroy ($12,000), or any other Grand Crus from nearby vineyards, we expected more from a $70 bottle of wine.
Living next to Willamette Valley, we tasted hundreds of similarly-priced local wines in the past fifteen years. Based on our experience, we can recommend at least 12 Great Oregon Pinot Noirs to Drink Now, that can rival and even “leave in the dust” 2017 Domaine Forey Pere despite having Vosne-Romanée in the name.
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