Winemaker Notes
Clos des Epeneaux is one of the 10 largest premier or grand cru monopolies of the Côte de Beaune and Cote de Nuits. Although situated in the heart of the Grands and Petits Epeneaux, this parcel has a fairly different geology from its neighbors. Both powerful and refined, the resulting wines are the quintessence of what Pinot Noir can express. The hint of spices is also characteristic of Clos des Epeneaux.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
As usual, I sampled the various constituents of the cuvée before tasting a representative blend of the 2018 Pommard 1er Cru Clos des Epeneaux, and as ever, the whole is superior to the sum of the parts. Wafting from the glass with a deep bouquet of raspberries, cherries, peonies, spices, orange rind, cassis, woodsmoke and espresso roast, the wine is medium to full-bodied, deep and multidimensional, its lively and concentrated core of fruit framed by rich structuring tannins, concluding with a long and sapid finish. This promises to number among the Côte de Beaune's wines of the vintage, and it will be well worth seeking out.
Barrel Sample: 93-95 -
Jasper Morris
A robust dark red colour. This is powerful but stricter than the 2019. Still very young, a touch more volatile, though not enough to disturb the intense qualities of this wine. The fruit is in dark plums rather than peaches, with a significant heart which will carry this wine through for the long term.
Thin-skinned, finicky and temperamental, Pinot Noir is also one of the most rewarding grapes to grow and remains a labor of love for some of the greatest vignerons in Burgundy. Fairly adaptable but highly reflective of the environment in which it is grown, Pinot Noir prefers a cool climate and requires low yields to achieve high quality. Outside of France, outstanding examples come from in Oregon, California and throughout specific locations in wine-producing world. Somm Secret—André Tchelistcheff, California’s most influential post-Prohibition winemaker decidedly stayed away from the grape, claiming “God made Cabernet. The Devil made Pinot Noir.”
Representing some of the darkest, deepest and sturdiest Pinot Noir of Burgundy, Pommard is one of the two villages in Côte de Beaune—along with Volnay—that is recognized for its impressive Pinot Noir. While it can’t boast any Grands Crus vineyards, its extraordinary Premiers Crus vineyards are aplenty.
Les Pézerolles, Les Épenots, Clos des Épeneaux, Les Chanlins, Les Jarolières, Les Fremiers and particularly Les Rugiens are among the most outstanding Premiers Crus.
The best Pommards will be concentrated in flavors such as black cherry, blackberry and dark chocolate, have dazzling aromas of violets, menthol or wild herbs and a firm and powerful finish. They typically demand some time in the bottle to reach their peak.