Pommard Premier Cru, Clos Des Épeneaux, Domaine Comte Armand, 2021

"Cask sample. Mid crimson. Heady, strongly perfumed. A wine that's really quite difficult to spit for although it's awfully sweet, there's a heck of a lot going on. Layers and energy. Rich but not sickly. Really very powerful. I wonder how much alcohol there is here? Good balance between fruit and freshness with an undertow of rather bolder tannins than in most 2019 red burgundies."

"As ever we tried the individual cuvées first before a trial blend – the actual assemblage will only happen a few weeks before bottling. The grapes were picked from 16th September at a yield of 24 hl/ha. Paul Zinetti has used 35% new oak, with less than 10% whole bunches included. The 2019 Pommard Clos des Epeneaux displays a rich deep purple colour. The bouquet is deeply expressive, suggesting an intensity of fruit more than super-ripeness. There is more red fruit than black though the two are present, correct acidity, tannins present, but waiting in the background, the alcohol is controlled, likely to finish around 14.3%. The whole stands up well in its firm, structured fashion. Early days yet, very promising. Tasted: December 2020"

"The 2018 Pommard Clos des Epeneaux 1er Cru was tasted from the four component blends and an assemblage. I must say that although I would like to have reported about the obvious difference between parcels of various vine age and soil types, I would describe them more as variations on a theme, the differences more nuanced than I have found in other vintages. The final pre-prepared blend has a delineated bouquet of blackberry, raspberry and cranberry scents, more floral than expected, with pressed rose petals and orange blossom emerging with time. The palate is medium-bodied with very fine tannins and the 30% new oak extremely well integrated, with savory hints toward the persistent finish. This is just superb."

"One of the best Côte de Beaune reds of the vintage. The four blocks that make up the blend of this justly celebrated Pommard Premier Cru red amount to 5.23ha and range in age between 36 and 100 years' old. Aged in one third new wood, it has spice and tobacco pouch top notes, layers of red berry fruit, fresh acidity and firm, yet granular tannins."