Pommard 2015
The little village of Pommard is jealously guarded by its vineyards, on the flanks of the slope.
The fame of the nectar produced here goes back centuries: for indeed, as long ago as the Middle Ages,
the wines of Pommard were being shipped to the Popes of Avignon…
Origin
Between Beaune and Volnay are the vast vineyards of Pommard, extending out on either side of a monumental coomb. This gives rise to two types of wine: from vines grown on the hill on the Beaune side, and from those originating in the slopes and ‘plunging’ down towards Volnay.
This wine is a blend of two opposite plots: 50 % « En brescul », Beaune side and 50% « la Combotte » Volnay side. - « En Brescul » is located up the hill and very steep slope. This funny name, diminutive of "Straighten-ass" refers to the heavily leaned position of the vine growers working in these steep plots.
« la Combotte » : Located below the "Vaumuriens" at the bottom of the hill, this climate presents a hollow relief . The name refers to the combe.
Viticulture
Grape variety: pinot noir
Soils: "En Brescul" is a steeply sloping plot with mostly calcareous soil. "La Combotte" is in the middle of the hillside on fairly clayey soils.
Orientation: East
Surface area under vine: 0.8603 ha
Pruning: Guyot system
Yield: 41 hL/ha
Average age of the vines: 40 years old.
Vinification
Harvest date: 7 September 2015.
The grapes were handpicked and were sorted a first time in the vineyard and a second time when they arrived at the winery.
At the winery: the grapes were completely destemmed but not crushed (they were left whole) and were gravity-fed into tanks. Total maceration of 3 weeks. Fermentation used indigenous yeasts only (no additives such as enzymes or tannins were used).
Ageing
Maturation: aged for 16 months with no racking or stirring to bring out all of this wine’s minerality. 40% new French oak barrels.
Barrels: Oak of French origin toasted at low temperatures for a long time to impart a subtle, delicate touch of oak were used.
Bottling
Bottling: The wine was not fined, but was very gently filtered before being bottled using gravity in February 2017.
Vintage
2015, excellence!
A memorable year which was nearly a disaster in terms of weather, but some late-season rain saved this small harvest. The fruit was magnificent, and produced some lovely juice. Ageing was handled very gently to preserve the aromatic qualities and lovely color of this very promising wine.
Ageing potential: from 7 to 10 years.
Tasting notes
The color is ruby red with purple hues. The very airy nose exudes charming aromas of blackcurrant and black fruit with a hint of minerality. On the palate, this elegant and fresh wine reveals ample tannins.
