Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Wine Spectator
This suave red features a core of saturated cherry, strawberry and spice flavors that are amplified by the wine's vibrant structure and well-integrated oak. The finish echoes with notes of sweet fruit and spice, picking up a mineral accent as well. Best from 2019 through 2032. 74 cases imported.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2012 Pommard 1er Cru Les Epenots has a broody, mushroom tinged bouquet - earthy but well-defined. The palate is medium-bodied with robust tannins and plenty of tart cherry and raspberry fruit on the crisp focused finish. This is cut from a similar cloth to the Les Rugiens but perhaps does not quite have the same length.
Barrel Sample: 89-91
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.