Hospices de Beaune

The Hospices de Beaune was founded in 1443 by Nicolas Rolin, the Chancellor of Burgundy, as a charitable almshouse and hospital and refuge for the needy and the poor. Receiving its first only in 1452, the Hospice has been providing medical services as well as refuge for the sick and the destitute without interruption to this day. Throughout the years, many donations have been made to the establishment, (and notably for a wine blog) including many vineyards. An annual wine auction has been held since 1851, on the third Sunday of November at the end of 3 days of festivities celebrating Burgundian food and wine. The wine, from the 60 hectares of mostly Grand Cru and Premier Cru vineyards under its ownership, are auctioned in barrels with the subsequent maturation and bottling being the responsibility of the buyer. Revitalised when Christie's took over its organization in 2005, it has slowly evolved from a wholesale only auction to attract consumer buyers.

Excuse the label which had somehow become detached from the bottle in the wine cabinet and then got water damage. The Magnum from which this came is still in good condition. I shall look forward to drinking it. Note also that although it has the Beaune AC, there is no indication of any vineyard etc designation. Instead it is named after the donor whose vineyard the wine comes from, hence Cuvee Rousseau-Deslandes.