2015 POMMARD 1ER CRU CLOS DES EPENEAUX COMTE ARMAND - 6x75cl

Tasting Notes

• 

  Goedhuis, September 2018

  Bursting full of fruit. This has a charming floral expression, but plenty of power too. It has the classical and refined structure of the best type of traditional winemaking, with little influence from the oak. Melting, mouthcoating tannins and spiced red fruits. Succulent freshness and a long, supple finish mark a very complete wine and a high point in a flight of excellent Pommards. [tasted blind at Burgfest]

• 

  Goedhuis, December 2016

  Quite rightly cherished by the domaine, this substantial 5.23ha monopole is considered by many as one of the greatest climats in Pommard, and indeed the Côte de Beaune. The gentle, intuitive extraction techniques used during vinification (gentle pigeage and remontage) have resulted in an energetic freshness and supple, melting tannic structure, all robed in spiced red fruit flavours. Intense, sophisticated, and hugely enjoyable.

• 

  Neal Martin, December 2016,
  Score: 94-96

  The 2015 Pommard 1er Cru Clos des Epenaux was tasted from barrel as a mixture of the old and younger vines. Cropped at 15 hectoliters per hectare, because of the hail, it matured in a maximum of 30% new oak. There was less pigeage this year as the wine does not usually need a big extraction, with just two punch downs. It was kept in tank for one week at 32 degrees Celsius before transferring into barrel. It has a very refined, quite powerful bouquet that manages to retain superb delineation and focus. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, hints of brown spice infusing the red berry fruit, black truffle and sage. This is a sophisticated Clos des Epenaux, clearly less extracted in the past, with a long tail on the aftertaste. This is a sublime expression of one of the best Côte de Beaune terroirs and an affirmation of Paul Zinetti as a talented winemaker worthy of following in Benjamin Leroux's footsteps. Drink Date 2020 - 2045

• 

  Burghound, April 2018,
  Score: 94

  Here the nose is notably riper than the 2016 version yet it manages to retain good freshness to the pure red berry fruit, earthy, floral and spice-suffused aromas. The decidedly dense, tautly muscular and powerful broad-shouldered flavors are underpinned by notably firm tannins and outstanding length on the beautifully complex finale that exhibits just enough warmth to warrant mentioning. This is quite clearly built-to-age and it's going to need it. In a word, impressive. Outstanding. Drink 2030+

• 

  Burghound, April 2017,
  Score: 92-94

  As it almost always is chez Armand, this is the most elegant wine in the range with a pure and strikingly complex, if reserved, nose of pure red berry fruit, earthy, floral and spice hints. The sleek, tautly muscular and powerful flavors are underpinned by slightly more sophisticated tannins and outstanding length on the beautifully complex finale. This is quite clearly built-to-age and it's going to need it. In a word, terrific. Drink 2027+ Sweet spot Outstanding

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Producer

Comte Armand

Clos des Épeneaux is Pommard’s most celebrated climat. The 5.23 hectare monopole has been in the Comte Armand family since 1828. Paul Zinetti took over from Benjamin Leroux as régisseur in 2014, and is rising to every challenge at this small, characterful domaine. They also have small holdings in Volnay and Auxey Duresses and, while these wines have the distinctive character of quintessential Côte de Beaune, they are also some of the most sophisticated, nuanced expressions you might taste across these villages. An understated use of new oak matches the textured fruit, and gentle handling in combination with intuitive biodynamic practices afford these wines both strength and delicacy. The domaine has begun to noticeably outpace its neighbours and redefine how the finest terroir of Pommard is capable of not only power but elegance as well.