Pommard 1er Cru “Les Argillières” AOC 2019

The Pinot Noir fruit comes from the Les Argillières site in Pommard. The 1er Cru is located on the north-eastern side of the village and is characterised by a lot of clay on limestone. The wine was made in the typical style of the Lejeune Each vat was filled to about 30 % with whole grapes. These were crushed with the feet to release enough juice to start the alcoholic fermentation, which is triggered by the action of natural yeasts found in the atmosphere of the cellar and on the grape skins at harvest time. The whole grapes then lie on top of the mash. This phase of alcoholic fermentation lasts five to seven days and is called semi-carbonic maceration because many of the berries ferment whole and not just as pulp. The entire fermentation takes around three weeks. The wine is then put into wooden barrels with a new wood content of around 30 %. Before filling, it is lightly sulphured but not filtered or fined.

radiant slightly transparent cherry red

The Les Argillières is a frank, spicy and fruity Pommard. Freshly crushed wild strawberries in their own juice, cherries and ripe plums form the prelude. Smoke, winter spices and a little menthol are also present. The whole is carried by the typically distinctive but elegant use of the best wood.

On the palate the 1er Cru lots of cherry. Black cherries and sour cherries with a hint of marzipan meet cinnamon plums, some chocolate and tobacco. The wine offers an excellent structure and a lively acidity with a very pleasant silky tannin, which makes the Pinot appear very elegant and open even now. With air, the structure becomes more balanced and precise, the wine fuller and more nuanced. You don't have to wait 15 years for this, but it certainly has the potential for such a period.