Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Aromas of spicy plums, red berries, dark chocolate and toasty new oak introduce the 2017 Pommard 1er Cru Les Rugiens, a sanity, medium to full-bodied wine with a broad shouldered but very fine-grained chassis of structuring tannins that frame a promising core of sapid fruit. This is more elegant than its 2017 counterpart but it will be one of the longer-haul prospects in the cellar.
Barrel Sample: 90-93
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Wine Spectator
A racy profile, driven by vivid acidity, defines the cherry, currant, stone, iron and earth flavors in this taut red. Firmly built, with a backbone of tannins that will allow this to develop. Stays balanced in a lean, compact way. Best from 2023 through 2040.
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.