Pommard 2018
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: 5 & 8 September 2018.
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 31 days including 5 days cold (12 C). Fermentation used indigenous yeasts only (no additives such as enzymes or tannins were used). 5 punchings of the cap. Vinification without sulfur.
Ageing
Maturation: aged for 14 months with no racking or stirring to bring out all of this wine’s minerality. 35% 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 bentonite fined and very gently filtered before being bottled using gravity in December 2019.
Number of bottles: 5,220.
Vintage
2018, abundance and excellence
After a winter that was almost too mild, the vintage was notable for two contrasting periods. Spring was sunny and totally devoid of frost, despite some localized episodes of hail, which had major impact on certain plots on the Côte de Nuits, which were hit in June. Then the summer was dry and hot, blocking the ripening process in places. Picking began early, with exceptionally abundant fruit in tip-top condition, offering the potential for some very fine wines.
Ageing potential: 10 years and more.
Tasting notes
The color is ruby red. The very airy nose exudes charming aromas of blackberries, cherry stones and spices with some notes of mocha. On the palate, this elegant and fresh wine reveals a beautiful silky structure!
