Winemaker Notes
A wine with an energetic character, it is full-colored ruby and dark purple. Virile, with concentrated cherry and raspberry flavors, then changing with time to pepper, licorice and eucalyptus, lovely soft tannins.
A deliciously silky, dense wine that marries well with game meat and strong soft cheeses.
Professional Ratings
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Jasper Morris
Two thirds come from the upper part at the moment as some of the lower part has been pulled out for replanting. 12% whole bunch in this cuvée. A crisp deep purple, the nose majors in precision and the sunshine character has been kept in line, there is some good acidity and a little touch of tannin, but fine-grained. Persistent and attractive.
Barrel Sample: 91-94 -
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2020 Pommard 1er Cru Rugiens is terrific, unfurling in the glass with aromas of sweet berries and plums mingled with warm spices, orange rind, licorice and loamy soil. Medium to full-bodied, rich and velvety, it's seamless and complete, its multidimensional core of lively fruit concealing its chassis of ripe, powdery tannins.
Rating: 94+
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.