Mission Codename Mister Burgundy
Pommard! What dreams are made of…
Let’s nerd out with some serious Burgundy collector talk today. Buckle up and stay with us. There is a bottle of current release Pommard Les Vignots that sells for over $2,000 out there. Yes, the very same vineyard as today’s offering. It’s by Madame Bize Leroy of DRC lineage.
We sure ain’t in any way implying that a $2,000 and a $45 wine share anything but a vineyard, yet it is a striking fact nonetheless that is a true testament to the aristocracy and pedigree here before us.
Layer in a truly exceptional vintage which is a scarce phenomenon in Burgundy, and it all starts making more sense. Just how good was 2017 in these parts?
For Vinous Neal Martin put it brilliantly “Before broaching the quality and style of the Côte d’Or reds, let’s get the main headline out of the way… There is wine! Hallelujah! I am not being facetious. Burgundy became accustomed to empty cellars and furrow-browed winemakers bemoaning how hail, frost or mildew depleted and sometimes eradicated entire cuvées, leaving less cash-rich growers fearing for their economic survival… 2017 reds are very good, often excellent, and from time to time, bloody awesome.”
One of the reasons we were able to bring this “bloody awesome” beauty down to this crazy price all the way from the $80 it well deserves, is how the press slept on the wheel by not tasting it. We did, and ended up madly in love with its purity and haunting grace.
A sensual lipstick cherry red, vibrant, and translucent, with a paler rim. The nose is led by tremendous perfume, redolent with red raspberry, wild strawberry, hibiscus, and white tea, while the palate brings juicy red currant, nectarine, blood orange, and plum forth, all infused with exotic baking spices. Sublime, ethereal, deep yet mellow on the finish, with a protracted finale that enchants the senses. For a flawless pairing, bring out your favorite roast lamb, poultry, game, mushrooms recipes to build a feast.
Did you notice the proprietor’s last name? A mere coincidence that his family name is French fr Burgundy. A coincidence? Sure doesn’t feel so given how exquisite his winemaking is!
Wine Enthusiast admired the previous vintage quite a bit with “Full of ripe red berries, this wine has rich tannins and a dense structure. Its weight comes as much from the juicy red fruit as the tannins. They give the wine plenty of potential and it will develop well to be ready from 2022.” Of the same ilk but from 2017, which rated even 2 points higher, the 2017 offers all that, and then some!
Now the not so good news, Burgundy at this level is FINITE, with just a few barrels made and even less exported, we did our part in grabbing all we could, now it’s your turn.
What the Winery Says
2017 Pommard Les Vignots
- Winemaker
- Luc Bourgogne
- Varietal
- 100% Pinot Noir
- Vintage
- 2017
- Appellation
- Pommard, Côte de Beaune
- Locale
- Meloisey
- Soils
- Thin clay topsoil, limestone base
- Alcohol
- 13%
- Vine age
- 50+ years
- Maceration:
- 100% destemmed
- Aging
- 12 months
- Barrels
- 10% new Burgundian oak