Auxey-Duresses Premier Cru Rouge, Domaine Comte Armand, 2019
Auxey-Duresses Premier Cru Rouge, Domaine Comte Armand, 2019
- 75cl
- 13.5%
- Red Still
- Pinot Noir
- Organic
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Optimal drinking window: Now - 2038
The 2019 Domaine Comte Armand Auxey-Duresses Premier Cru Rouge is a stunner, exhibiting aromas of dark fruits, spices, and earthy undertones. A powerful yet refined palate, layered with ripe black cherry, blackcurrant, and blueberry lifted by subtle spice and a hint of candied orange peel on the finish.
Under the leadership of talented winemakers like Benjamin Leroux and now Paul Zinetti, Domaine Comte Armand emphasises minimal intervention in both the vineyard and the cellar. Hand-harvesting, natural fermentations, and careful oak aging create wines that balance power, elegance, and precision, with remarkable aging potential and complexity.
The appellation’s grandest domaine, Comte Armand regularly feature as one of the Top 10 Côte de Beaune Red Wine Producers in Tim Atkin's Burgundy Special Reports.
Currently showing beautifully but still in its youth, with primary dark fruits dominating. Over the next 2-3 years, the tannins will soften and the whole bunch elements will integrate more fully. From 2029 onwards, expect secondary complexity to emerge with forest floor, leather, and spice developing alongside the fruit. The wine should reach its peak between 2030-2038, then hold well until the mid-2040s, gradually shifting towards tertiary aromas of earth, truffle, and dried fruits whilst maintaining its structural integrity.
Tasting Notes
AppearanceDeep ruby with purple highlights, showing the concentration of the 2019 vintage.
NoseDark cherry and blackcurrant emerge first, followed by warming spices and earthy undertones. There's a lovely lift of candied orange peel that adds brightness to the rich fruit core. The 20% new oak is perfectly integrated, adding structure without overwhelming the fruit.
PalatePowerful yet refined, with layers of ripe black fruits supported by fine tannins. The 15% whole bunch fermentation adds a subtle herbal complexity and silky texture. There's impressive fruit weight balanced by fresh acidity, with mineral notes emerging on the mid-palate that speak to the limestone soils.
FinishLong and spiced, with that distinctive candied orange peel note lingering alongside dark chocolate and earthy minerals.
Overall impressionA wine that perfectly captures Auxey-Duresses' ability to combine power with elegance, showing why Comte Armand is considered the appellation's finest producer.
Food Pairings
In Burgundy, this would be the natural partner for coq au vin made with the local Pinot Noir, or beef bourguignon slow-cooked with pearl onions and lardons. The wine's earthy complexity makes it perfect with wild mushroom dishes, particularly cèpes or morels gathered from the local forests. A classic pairing would be côte de bœuf with bone marrow and herbs, or even the region's famous escargots de Bourgogne with their rich garlic and parsley butter.
We think this wine would go well with
Serve at 16-17°C to allow the complex aromatics to fully express themselves. Decant for 30-60 minutes to soften the tannins and integrate the oak, though it's approachable without decanting. Use Burgundy bowls or large-bowled red wine glasses to concentrate the perfume whilst allowing the wine to breathe. If serving immediately, opening an hour before service will help the wine show its best.
Auxey-Duresses sits in the hills behind Meursault on limestone and clay soils with excellent drainage. The premier cru vineyards benefit from southeast-facing slopes that catch the morning sun while staying relatively cool. This combination of warm exposure and mineral-rich soils creates wines with both power and finesse, displaying the earthy backbone that distinguishes Auxey-Duresses from its more famous neighbours.
Auxey-Duresses is one of Burgundy's most underrated appellations, tucked away in the Côte de Beaune hills behind Meursault and Volnay. The appellation produces both red and white wines, though the reds from premier cru sites can rival those from more celebrated communes. With only nine premier cru vineyards, the best sites offer excellent value compared to neighbouring appellations whilst maintaining the complexity and aging potential that defines great Burgundy.
The 2019 vintage in Burgundy delivered exactly what vignerons needed after a string of challenging years: a textbook growing season that let the grapes ripen slowly and evenly. Spring arrived gently, summer stayed warm without punishing heat spikes, and crucially, September brought those cool nights that preserve acidity whilst allowing full phenolic ripeness. We find ourselves talking about 2019 as one of those vintages where nature simply cooperated, giving winemakers healthy fruit with natural balance rather than forcing them to correct for extremes in the cellar.
What emerged are Burgundies with remarkable freshness married to genuine depth—the Pinot Noirs show that silky texture and bright red fruit character that makes great Burgundy so compelling, whilst the Chardonnays have both the mineral backbone and subtle richness that age beautifully. The quality runs impressively deep across all appellations, from village wines that drink like premier crus to grand crus that remind you why Burgundy commands such devotion. These wines are drinking beautifully now if you fancy them young and vibrant, though we suspect the better bottles will reward patience well into the 2030s.
FAQs
What does this wine taste like?
Rich and powerful with dark cherry, blackcurrant, and spice, balanced by earthy minerals and a hint of candied orange peel on the finish.
When should I drink this wine?
Drinking beautifully now but will reward patience. Peak drinking is likely 2030-2038, though it will continue to develop gracefully until the mid-2040s.
What food pairs best with this wine?
Perfect with rich meat dishes like beef bourguignon, roast lamb, or duck. Also excellent with wild mushrooms, aged hard cheeses, or game birds.
Should I decant this wine?
Decanting for 30-60 minutes will help soften the tannins and allow the complex aromatics to emerge, though it's approachable without decanting.
How does this compare to other Burgundy villages?
Auxey-Duresses offers exceptional value compared to neighbouring Volnay or Beaune, with similar complexity and aging potential at a more accessible price.
Is this wine worth cellaring?
Absolutely. This has the structure and concentration to develop beautifully over the next 15-20 years, gaining complexity whilst the tannins integrate and secondary flavours emerge.
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