Pommard

This is on the higher part of Pommard at 300 metres, above Les Charmots, but south-facing. This is really quite mineral; there is black fruit and a hint of iron on the nose (a good thing). On the palate, it is complex, tight and deep. There is a really understated concentration here, and the finish is long and resolved.
Drink 2022-2028.
Adam Bruntlett, Burgundy Buyer

No relation to the many Magniens of the Côte de Nuits, young Sébastien comes instead from Meloisey in the Hautes Côtes de Beaune – a village whose wines were as well thought of as those of Volnay in the 14th century, and were served at the coronation of King Philip II Augustus in 1180. However, to be in the thick of things, Sébastien has transferred headquarters to revamped cellars in the middle of Meursault. He is equally adept at making red and white wines. Sitting (relatively) modestly on Sébastien’s shelf in his tasting area is a trophy: for the Jeunes Talents Côte de Beaune 2016. Sébastien’s star is certainly rising, and fully deserved. Everything here is precise and considered. His vineyards in Beaune, Puligny and St Romain were not frosted, but there are significant reductions elsewhere throughout his range. Much of Sébastien’s focus is in the vineyard, where he tries to capture the spirit of each of his wines. The difficulties of the spring aside, he is very happy with his results this year. He has also been paying particular attention to the toast levels of his barrels, with an even more discreet, integrated result.

This youthful Pommard displays a bright red purple colour, with very little bouquet at this early stage, as one would expect for Pommard. The palate however displays the qualities of the appellation, chunky, indeed massively weighty, then firm tough tannins and acidity behind. Tuck away for the best part of a decade.
Jasper Morris MW - Wine Buyer

No stems were included in Les Pézerolles which shows a fine, bright purple colour. Really clear, pure, red fruit, with plenty of volume, this is a gentler style of Pommard, with no discernible tannins, good fruit and harmonious all the way through.

Étienne de Montille began picking whites on 10th and reds on 13th September, relatively early. Despite the hail (worst in Pommard than Beaune, Volnay less) yields were slightly improved compared to 2013. The fruit was clean with small berries, and beautiful clusters, so they were able to continue with their usual programme of whole-bunch vinification in most instances. The details are given for each wine. They will be long lived wines.

Faiveley ’s parcel in the Rugiens-Hauts mostly escaped the frost, with just five to 10 percent of the crop lost. Deep ruby in colour and with a vibrant nose of red berry fruit and subtle spice, this is an elegant expression. The palate is juicy with good density of fruit and prominent but chalky tannins that point at good ageing potential. Drink 2021-2029.
Adam Bruntlett, Burgundy Buyer

At 115 hectares, Domaine Joseph Faiveley is one of the biggest domaines in Burgundy. The company has been based in Nuits-St Georges since the days of Pierre Faiveley who founded the business in 1825. His son Joseph gave his name to the family business, to be followed by the first François, Georges who helped found the Chevaliers du Tastevin, Guy who developed the business in the Côte Chalonnaise, François who has retired and now his son Erwan, born in 1979. The change of generation has dynamised the business: there’s been a notable expansion of vineyards, including Domaines Annick Parent, Monnot and Matrot- Wittersheim in the Côte de Beaune, as well as Dupont-Tisserandot (Gevrey) and Billaud- Simon (Chablis). Old-style Faiveley wines could be massively tannic at the expense of the fruit. From 2007 the wines are much fresher and fruitier, yet with real intensity. Harvest began on the 22nd September in the Côte de Beaune, taking an unusually long three weeks to ensure everything was fully ripe. In terms of frost damage, the Côte de Beaune was worst-hit, along with some Gevrey parcels, but where there was no frost damage, the yields were good. Stylistically, the red wines have seen slightly less whole-bunch than in 2015, and the wines continue in the new, more elegant style. The feeling is that 2016 reds are fresher and crunchier than 2015, while Erwan suggests that the white wines have the potential to be better than 2014.

Having made Clos des Epeneaux at Comte Armand, Ben had always harboured an ambition to make Pommard’s other great wine, so was delighted to take the opportunity; this comes from a plot in the lower part of Les Rugiens-Hauts. There is a real concentration of fruit here, Grand Cru weight and a wonderfully elegant tannic structure which underlines the class of this site. Drink 2023-2035.
Adam Bruntlett, Burgundy Buyer

Having created a name for himself as régisseur (general manager) of Comte Armand in Pommard from 1999 until 2013, Benjamin Leroux established a small négociant business based in Beaune in 2007. The emphasis is on Côte de Beaune whites and Côte de Nuits reds. The company also owns a small holding of Bâtard-Montrachet and since 2014 some vineyards in Meursault. In a short space of time Benjamin Leroux’s wines have built an impressive reputation. Ben is a big fan of his 2016s, praising the sizzling tension of the whites and the beautiful quality of the Pinot fruit, which allowed him to use more whole bunches than in 2015. In early stages of élevage he drew comparisons to 2010, and feels these are wines which will surprise people and gain complexity with time. Thanks to his strong relationships with suppliers, Ben was able to maintain production at around 2015 levels despite the frost, although in general he has less Village and Grand Cru wine and more at the Premier Cru level. For reasons of space, the limited volumes of Grands Crus have not been included in this catalogue. Since the 2014 vintage, all white wines are bottled under screwcap.

Just 12hl/ha but that is still better than 2012 or 2013. Made with 30 percent new wood, this is a glorious imperial purple; on the nose, it’s really fragrant, lifted and lovely. To taste, there’s raspberry fruit mixed with alpine strawberries, some darker fruit too, the whole stretching beautifully across the palate. It has medium density and a pure and stylish finish. There’s a little touch of tannin at the back to remind us that it is Pommard – and a very fine one at that.

Paul Zinetti has replaced Benjamin Leroux as régisseur (general manager) at this famous estate. He has inherited a great position but also, alas, a tradition of hail-affected vintages. With this in mind, Paul has looked for lighter extraction in 2014, with less punching down than previously. He has been with the domaine for several years prior to taking over, so he is fully au fait with these vineyards. The village Auxey is a steal this year.

A fine fresh colour, given its 40 years of age, and a remarkably pretty bouquet with some strawberry notes. There is plenty of density of fruit in the typical Camille Giroud style and an excellent balance between the fruit and the acidity. Pure poised and persistent.
Jasper Morris MW, Burgundy Wine Director

A rich, dense purple colour, this is magisterial. The nose holds immense possibilities though it may not wish to speak of the detail just yet. This is beautifully homogenous on the palate – a gorgeous, glowing, graceful Epeneaux that just reminds you in the aftertaste that it comes from Pommard. It offers the essence of raspberry but in the sumptuous, red-fruit style of the great vintages of the past. Drink 2024-2040.
Jasper Morris MW, Wine Buyer

Paul Zinetti’s second harvest at the domaine has at least given him a few more grapes to play with than 2014 and fruit of exceptional quality. Nonetheless 2015 was once again a very short crop because of the previous hail damage, delivering just one third of what used to be normal. The grapes were mostly de-stemmed, although some whole bunches were used, but always a minority.

Fine, deep colour with a noticeably reserved, backward nose. Impressive energy on the palate, good fruit weight and unusual depth of flavour. Classy, exceptional long and elegant throughout.
(Jasper Morris MW - Burgundy Buyer - 10-Sept-2009)

This is another tour de force, right from the enticing, rich purple colour onwards. Really exuberant ripe fruit with floral notes are underpinned by a black cherry flavours. A magnificent wine for five to ten years time, although it will certainly last longer than that. Drink 2010-2015

Located just above Premier Cru Les Charmots, les Petits Noizons is a superbly sited south-facing vineyard. Lovely deep purple, stylish dark red fruits with some black notes. Generous, clearly ripe, with more black fruit on the palate. Really lovely wine with Pommard weight but still with a sense of vivacity.
Jasper Morris, MW - Wine Buyer

Sébastien picked his white wines at the end of September then waited a week for the reds to finish ripening. In both cases the grapes remained in healthy condition. Clearly his 2013s are his best yet in white and very good indeed in red. Take this opportunity to discover a really promising young grower who is still ‘under the radar’.

A lovely bright purple with charming mid-red fruit and some darker notes of cherry and black fruit. Suave and smooth with neither the aggressive acidity nor the tough tannins of some Pommard wines in 2013. Superbly crafted.
Jasper Morris, MW - Wine Buyer

This was Benjamin Leroux’s last vintage at Domaine du Comte Armand and possibly his smallest yet. Just 18 barrels of Clos des Epeneaux have been made, with a yield of around eight hectolitres per hectare. The vintage began on 25th September with good looking grapes and decent maturity. Benjamin is staying involved to see the vintage into bottle, though otherwise Paul Zinetti is now securely in charge.

The Grand Vin is a blend of the various sections of Clos des Epeneaux, including a small percentage of the younger vines. This is a really elegant and perfumed Pommard, with a gloriously harmonious bubble of red fruit and heavenly cherries present throughout and before a long and refined finish. This really is quite terrific!
Jasper Morris MW, Burgundy Director

As we have come to expect, Benjamin Leroux has produced a brilliant range of wines here in 2010. The Clos des Epeneaux is now one of the most exciting wines in the Côte de Beaune. A result of Benjamin’s refinement of vineyard work and the plan he has adopted of picking and vinifying according to the geology of different parts of the vineyard, rather than vine age.

A product of the young (although nearly 30-year-old) vines from the Clos des Epeneaux, this Pommard is a fresh and vigorous youthful purple colour with significant density of bright red cherry fruit shining through on the nose. The palate shows plenty of energy, but also harmony and precision.
Jasper Morris MW, Burgundy Director

As we have come to expect, Benjamin Leroux has produced a brilliant range of wines here in 2010. The Clos des Epeneaux is now one of the most exciting wines in the Côte de Beaune. A result of Benjamin’s refinement of vineyard work and the plan he has adopted of picking and vinifying according to the geology of different parts of the vineyard, rather than vine age.

Pezerolles was hit by the hail and as a result there is only 20% of the normal volume in 2013. The hail has reduced the yield drastically, but it has not afftected the quanilty of the berries that did make it to harvest time. This is graceful for a Pommard, with wild strawberry combining beautifully with darker plum character. The structure is well covered by the fruit, but make no mistake, like every good Pommard, it is there and in time will provide the backbone this wine needs.
Matthew Tipping - Private Account Manager

Displaying fractionally more colour than the other Pommards and with a notable intensity of fruit from the start, this is a really fine wine. It begins gracefully, moves into the sumptuous, bursting with ripe cherries, before stretching out marvellously to a long silky finish.
Jasper Morris MW, Burgundy Director

Domaine de Montille picked between the 18th and 26th September in 2010. The red wines, made by American Brian Sieve (one of two winemakers in this catalogue born in Indianapolis!) under the surveillance of Etienne de Montille, now show a consistency of style and quality that perhaps was not entirely there a few years ago. The whites are the responsibility of Etienne’s sister Alix and maintain the class of recent times. Together they have produced a fine result in 2010.

This has a beautifully enticing mix of strawberry and raspberry notes along with a touch of violets and similar succulent red fruit on the palate. Exceptionally stylish for Pommard, this is a great result for the domaine.

A notably floral and very fresh nose of high-toned and pure red berry fruit aromas that are nuanced by warm earth notes that continue onto the rich, silky and lightly mineral-infused flavors that are admirably precise and quite powerful for a villages level wine. This finishes with a dusty and firm finale that exhibits near perfect balance. Outstanding.
Allen Meadows, burghound.com, Jan 2012

Displaying a lively colour and with lovely fruit from the whole bunch fermentation, this is really exuberant for Pommard, and even though its clearly a young wine there is a huge amount of pleasure to be had now. But it will last for years too. 
Jasper Morris MW - Burgundy Director

This blend of the various different cuvées of the Clos is, as ever, even more impressive than its individual parts. The bouquet is very fine, with stylish, vibrant red fruit aromas and lifted notes of spice. Tightly wound yet still with real generosity, this is a great wine in the making. Lay down and try to forget its existence for at least another five years.

Burgundy 2009 Best Buys - Premier Crus Wines
If there was a Grand Cru in Pommard this would undoubtedly be it, and in years like 2009 you could make an argument for it. This is where Ben Leroux really puts his genius to work; the completeness is overwhelming. As in 2005, Ben has crafted something quite magical.
(Joss Fowler, Cellar Plan Account Manager)

A very intense, multi-layered nose reaches down to a profound palate and, although this is evidently very rich in fruit, there is something very stylish about it. There is a vast range of fruit on the palate, even a hint of licorice, leading to an extraordinarily vibrant finish. This may be Benjamin Leroux’s best ever Clos des Epeneaux.
(Jasper Morris MW, BBR Buyer)

Made from the ‘young’ vines of Clos des Epeneaux, now averaging 25 years old, this Pommard from Domaine du Comte Armand, which is bounding with energy, is remarkably succulent with totally tamed tannins.

This is a brilliant wine, with a mix of vibrant red and deeper black fruit notes. Dancing concentrated fruit covers the acidity and tannins sublimely well. This is a Pommard of exceptional energy as well as harmony.
Jasper Morris MW, Berrys' Burgundy Director Volumes at Domaine du Comte Armand were broadly similar to 2010 in 2011, but will be catastrophically low in 2012 as Pommard was one of the hardest hit villages with the poor weather. We must therefore take advantage of Benjamin Leroux’s brilliant range of wines made available this year, from the supposedly lowly Aligoté upwards. Look out for the potential of the fabulous Clos des Epeneaux, which Ben has harnessed to a quality level rarely seen before.

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The de Montille holding is in the favoured, lower part of this vineyard. Bright pink-purple in colour, with richer, ripe fruit here, delivering a great intensity of dense red flavours. The tannins are prominent, as they should be for Rugiens, but not discordant. This is for the long term.
Jasper Morris MW, Burgundy Wine Director

This great domaine has grown even further with the acquisition of some vineyards, such as Meursault Perrières, to enhance the white wine range, vinified by Alix de Montille. The reds continue the progress seen in recent years from the team led by Etienne de Montille with the assistance of cellarmaster Brian Sieve. All the top wines are vinified with 100% whole bunches which defines the very perfumed style of the domaine’s wines