97 pt. Burgundy: ‘An Extraordinary Wine That Will Live for Decades’ (Decanter)

Why Buy:  Rarely do you see red Burgundy with superlative scores like this (97 points, 95 points, and 94 points), and it's even rarer to find deals like this —  that 97-pointer, Pommard 1er Cru Grand Clos des Epenots 2022, is not just an astonishingly great wine, but, at just under $350 a bottle, amounts to an exceptional value in a soaring Burgundy marketplace. We've long admired the way this small, family-run house can deliver so much Pommard power (lovers of Cabernet, we're looking at you), profound structure, and rich, sensual pleasure, a credit to their patient, time-honored approach (extensive soil plowing, month-long whole-cluster fermentations, and ultra-patient barrel aging). We tip our hat to this proud producer and say: throwback is thrilling.

What They're Saying: Decanter was mesmerized by the Grand Clos des Epenots, awarding it 97 points and praising its "enchanting plum and currant aromas" with their "hints of earth, leather, spice, and blood." They called it "an extraordinary wine that will live for decades." The Rugiens (95 points) earned a multitude of plaudits, too, for its "generous, almost fleshy" character and "silky but supportive tannins," while the Fremiers (94 points) dazzled with its "explosion of fruit" and "velvety, dense texture."

Our Tasting Notes: These wines showcase the full spectrum of what makes Pommard special. The monopole Grand Clos des Epenots, from nearly 60-year-old vines, delivers massive extraction and complexity while maintaining perfect balance. The mid-slope Rugiens, where white marl meets red clay, offers a fascinating interplay of smoke, earth, and spice notes wrapped around perfectly ripe fruit. The Fremiers, from deeper clay soils, brings an elegant sophistication, with bright blackberry and cassis notes edged with pepper and bay leaf. The Vaumuriens, from shallow white soils just above Rugiens, shows off a wonderfully spicy character, and we were charmed by the way the cassis notes mingled  with the exotic white fruits village-level Pommard of distinction.

The Story: For four centuries, Domaine de Courcel has been the standard-bearer for Pommard, still owned by the same family that founded it in the 17th century. Today, under the leadership of Gilles de Courcel and the winemaking direction of Yves Confuron, they maintain a defiantly unyielding approach: traditional soil plowing, late harvesting for optimal ripeness, month-long whole-cluster fermentations, and extended 18-24 month barrel aging. Each wine is bottled by gravity, without fining or filtration – old-school methods that create powerhouse Pommards requiring patience but rewarding it handsomely.

Fun Fact: When Yves Confuron took over winemaking in 1996, he brought with him centuries of family wisdom – the Confurons have been vignerons since the reign of Louis XIV.

Our Guarantee: As always, we source directly from the domaine to ensure perfect provenance. Secure yours today!