Outstanding Pommard from a Superb Vintage

Today’s Story: Domaine de Courcel

I previously wrote about Domaine de Courcel in Rustic, Terroir-Driven Burgundy when I reviewed their 2009 Pommard 1er Cru Les Fremiers, though I will reproduce a brief history here and you can read my prior post for some additional notes on their winemaking processes.

Domaine de Courcel was founded roughly 400 years ago in the village of Pommard and is a family winery throughout its history. To this end, today the estate is managed by Anne Bommelaer and Marie de Courcel and its owners include three sisters and one brother who are descendants of the domaine’s founders. Production is somewhat limited at the domaine, with annual production numbers never rising above 30,000 bottles (2,500 cases).

The domaine owns vineyards on 10.5 hectares in Pommard, which is four kilometers from Beaune in the Côte de Beaune. From this land, the domaine produces seven different wines including four 1er Crus that account for roughly 75% of the vineyards. These 1er Crus include Le Grand Clos des Epenots (a monopole of the domaine), Les Rugiens, Les Frémiers, and Les Croix Noires. Domaine de Courcel also produces a Pommard village wine Les Vaumuriens in additional to a Bourgogne Rouge and Bourgogne Blanc. Le Grand Clos des Epenots (about 50% of the domaine’s production) and Les Rugiens come from arguably some of the best vineyards in Pommard.

Today’s Wine: 2005 Pommard

100% Pinot Noir; 13% ABV

The 2005 Pommard is pale to medium ruby in color and slightly transparent. The wine was beautiful right out of the bottle, but as this opens up in the glass it truly blossoms to showcase a nose with aromas of black cherry, dried raspberry, red florals, red licorice, forest floor after a rainstorm, truffle, underbrush, cinnamon, slight musty cellar, pinch of pepper, and a faint hint of oak. Once in the mouth, this beauty shows notes of cranberry, dusty strawberry, sweet ripe cherry, dry rocky soil, tobacco leaf, ground green herbs, mushroom, crushed rock, and a touch of spice. This is medium- to full-bodied with medium (+) acidity, medium dusty tannins, and a long finish with notes of iron and smoke.

Price: $150. Though pricing on this is up there with good quality 1er Cru Burgundy, this is an outstanding vintage and bottling from Domaine de Courcel that stands up at this price point. Pair this with game, venison, or beef.