2017 Comte Armand Pommard Clos des Epeneaux Monopole

The 2017 Comte Armand Pommard 1er Cru Clos des Epeneaux Monopole is a benchmark red Burgundy from one of the Côte de Beaune’s most storied vineyards. Crafted entirely from Pinot Noir and drawn from a single walled clos under exclusive Comte Armand ownership, it marries classic Pommard structure with the finesse and purity of a cooler, elegant vintage. This is a wine that captures the depth of old vines and the meticulous, terroir-focused philosophy that has made Clos des Epeneaux a reference point for serious Burgundy collectors.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2017 Clos des Epeneaux shows a deep, luminous ruby hue with garnet reflections at the rim, hinting at both concentration and refinement. The nose is layered and expressive: wild red and black cherries, ripe raspberry and crushed blackberry are woven with notes of violets, rose petals, forest floor, and subtle spice. Hints of cedar, fine tobacco, and graphite emerge with air, alongside a touch of cocoa and sweet baking spice from carefully judged oak. On the palate, the wine is precise and tightly knit, with a core of pure red and dark berry fruit framed by ripe yet firm tannins. There is a beautiful interplay between power and elegance: Pommard’s trademark structure is present, but polished, carried by a vibrant acidity that keeps the wine fresh and energetic. Flavors of red cherry, blackcurrant, and plum are accented by savory notes of sous-bois, iron, and a faint saline minerality. The finish is long, focused, and persistent, suggesting excellent aging potential. While already approachable with proper aeration, this 2017 will continue to develop greater complexity and silkier texture over the next 10–15 years, and likely hold beyond with careful cellaring.

Production
Clos des Epeneaux is a 5.23-hectare monopole in Pommard, one of the largest and most significant single-owner Premier Cru sites in both the Côte de Beaune and Côte de Nuits. The vineyard’s old Pinot Noir vines, ranging from 30 to 80 years of age and planted at a dense 12,000 vines per hectare, draw deeply from classic Burgundian clay-limestone soils, giving both power and minerality. The clos is divided into four distinct parcels, each vinified separately to respect subtle variations in terroir and vine age. Harvest is carried out with great care, and the fruit is 100% destemmed, with most berries left whole and uncrushed to preserve freshness and aromatic purity. A cold pre-fermentation maceration of 5–8 days at 13–14°C encourages gentle extraction, followed by spontaneous (native yeast) alcoholic fermentation lasting 5–10 days. A post-fermentation maceration of 3–15 days, depending on the character of the harvest, results in a total cuvaison of around four weeks—long by Burgundy standards—allowing tannins and phenolics to integrate slowly into a more stable, harmonious structure. The wine is then aged 18–24 months in French oak barrels, with up to 30% new oak reserved for the oldest vines in Clos des Epeneaux, adding refinement and subtle spice without overwhelming the terroir expression.

Food & Serving
This Pommard 1er Cru is a gastronomic wine that shines with richly flavored yet refined dishes. Think roasted duck breast with cherry compote, herb-crusted lamb, veal chops, or game birds such as guinea fowl or pigeon. It also pairs beautifully with earthy elements—wild mushrooms, truffle dishes, lentil stews, and aged hard cheeses like Comté or aged Gruyère. Serve at 15–16°C (59–61°F) to highlight its aromatic complexity and balance. For current drinking, decanting for 1–2 hours is recommended to allow the structure to soften and the bouquet to unfurl; in peak maturity, a shorter decant or slow oxygenation in the bottle may be sufficient.

Producer
Domaine Comte Armand, based in Pommard, is one of Burgundy’s most revered and historically important producers, with a lineage dating back to the 19th century. The estate’s identity is inseparable from Clos des Epeneaux, which has been under Comte Armand’s stewardship for generations and is considered one of the greatest Premier Cru sites in the Côte de Beaune. Over the decades, the domaine has become a standard-bearer for terroir-driven, ageworthy Pinot Noir, known for meticulous vineyard work, low yields, and thoughtful, minimally interventionist winemaking. Under a succession of highly regarded régisseurs, Comte Armand has earned a reputation for producing some of the most profound and collectible wines of Pommard, consistently praised by critics and Burgundy enthusiasts for their depth, complexity, and capacity to age gracefully.

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