Comte Armand Pommard Clos des Epeneaux 1er Cru 2016 (750ML)

95 JM / 93-95 WA / 92-94 BH / 16.5++ JR

The wine spent 8 weeks in the vinification vat from which it has emerged as a beautifully graceful wine. Rich glowing imperial purple. The nose suggests power but without losing the essential elegance of Paul's style. Little alpine strawberries on the nose, then a greater weight of dark fruit. The tannins are certainly present but equally certainly silky. Long and very fine finish. Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy

The 2016 Pommard 1er Cru Clos des Epeneaux contains 10% whole-bunch fruit. I tasted from two cuvées, one from the young vines and one from the old. The young vines has clean and pure black cherry, red plum and lightly blueberry fruit that conveys a sense of energy. The palate is well balanced with succulent ripe black fruit, very fine tannin, a taut line of acidity but real complexity and tension from start to finish. I love the harmony and effortlessness of these younger vines. The cuvée from older vines demonstrated more black fruit with traces of undergrowth, a little more rondeur with impressive depth and structure on the persistent, marine/oyster shell-tinged finish. This has enormous potential and may challenge the supremacy of the 2015. Neal Martin – The Wine Advocate

Tasting note: A background whiff of wood easily allows the earthy yet quite pretty aromas of plum, violet, dark cherry and soft spice nuances to shine. The mouth feel of the slightly bigger and richer flavors is also admirably sleek while delivering excellent length on the mouth coating and well-balanced finish. This is perhaps a bit less structured than is usually the case as it should be reasonably approachable young if that's your preference. Sweet Spot-Outstanding – Allen Meadows – Burghound

Rather lighter nose than I would have expected. Juicy and fun on the palate with (almost) hidden depths. Lots of vitality even if not that concentrated. Embryonic. Jancis Robinson