Domaine Courcel

This is one of Pommard’s grandest domaines. It has been in the family since the 17^th century, albeit with various changes of name through passing down through the female line. It is currently owned by Gilles de Courcel, whose day job is managing Chanson Père&Fils, and his three sisters.

The Domaine de Courcel produces Pommard with very traditional methods. Wines undergo a relatively warm fermentation, with at least three weeks of maceration and two to three punchings of the "cap" per day, resulting in a fine extraction of fruit, colour and tannins. The wines have been made by Vosne-Romanée vigneron Yves Confuron since 1996. The grapes are vinified with their stems after a severe sorting process. They are then matured in barrel for 18 months or more, without racking. There is not much reliance on new oak. The resulting wines have subtlety and richness that accompany a remarkable ability to age.
 
Generics apart, their vineyards are entirely within Pommard: Vaumuriens (village) and premiers crus Croix Noires, Fremiers, 2.64 acres of Rugiens (Bas) and 12.35 acres of Grand Clos des Epenots, which is a quasi-monopole. The wines produced from the latter of these sites are considered to be among the longest-lived wines of the Côte de Beaune. They do not own the whole of it since a family division in 1975, but are the only producer to offer a wine under this name.

Jasper Morris MW, Burgundy Wine Director and author of the award-winning Inside Burgundy comprehensive handbook.