POMMARD
2012 1er Cru Fremiers Domaine de Courcel
This is also notably ripe with an expressive and well-layered nose that features notes of essence of cassis, earth, leather and spice nuances plus a mildly curious hint of apricot. There is outstanding concentration to the big-bodied and intense flavors that also are shaped by phenolically mature tannins before ending in a suave, mouth coating and velvety finish. This is full-on and very serious and will need a very long snooze in a cool cellar before it will reach its full majority. 2027+ Rating: 93 Allen Meadows, www.Burghound.com (Apr 2015)
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Bright medium red. High-toned aromas of red berries, minerals and flowers. Less massive than the Croix Noires but seriously concentrated and vibrant, not to mention more refined, conveying attractive perfumed lift to the flavors of red fruits, spices, crushed stone and earth. Fresh and energetic for 2012. Finishes tactile and long, with big, chalky tannins reaching the front teeth. Should enjoy a slow and graceful evolution in the bottle. Drinking range: 2024 - 2032 Rating: 91 Stephen Tanzer, www.vinousmedia.com (Mar 2015)
This is also notably ripe with an expressive and well-layered nose that features notes of essence of cassis, earth, leather and spice nuances. There is outstanding concentration to the big-bodied and intense flavors that also are shaped by phenolically mature tannins before ending in a suave, mouth coating and velvety finish. This is frankly almost too rich, at least it is for my taste, though there will undoubtedly be those who enjoy exceptionally opulent and lush Pommard. 2020+ Rating: 90-92 Allen Meadows, www.Burghound.com (Apr 2014)
Rating: 93 Tim Atkin MW, www.timatkin.com (Jan 2014)
Expressive black cherry and medicine character, chock-full of tannic power, lovely flavour complexity on the palate. Another one that needs very long-term ageing. 2022-2042 Rating: 17+ Richard Hemming MW - www.JancisRobinson.com (Jan 2014)
Good dark red. Musky red fruits and a wild leathery nuance on the nose. Sweeter than the Croix Noires but still with a firm spine of wild red berry flavor. More soil- than fruit-driven and already expressive. Finishes with slightly granular tannins. This should provide early interest and age well. Rating: 89-91 Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar (Jan 2014)
The 2012 Pommard 1er Cru Les Fremiers has another refined, feminine, very pure bouquet with crushed strawberry and raspberry scents infused by touches of rose petal. The palate displays quite tough tannins on the entry. Here, it becomes much more masculine, very tight and firm with a solid, dense, almost opaque finish. This will need time in bottle. Rating: 88-90 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (Jan 2014)
Domaine de Courcel
One of the great domaines of Pommard, with a 400 year history in the same family. The domaine produces a small amount of Bourgogne Chardonnay, a completely over-performing Bourgogne Rouge, a village Pommard (Vaumuriens, 1.44 ha), but the biggest part of the domaine consists of four great Premier Cru expressions of the terroir of Pommard, Fremiers (0.79 ha), Croix Noires (0.58 ha), Grand Clos des Epenots (4.89 ha) and Rugiens (1.07 ha). These represent a very different style to the Clos des Épeneaux of Comte Armand, for example. Yves Confuron, the régisseur, describes the difference between the two top wines by saying that the Grand Clos is 'terreux' while the Rugiens is 'aérien'.
The aim is to limit yields to around 25hl/ha, to attain optimum ripeness. The vines are ploughed, and pruned carefully to suit each one, then de-budded in spring and green-harvested in August to keep the fruit load balanced. Following Yves' usual practice the harvest is late and the vatting is long - usually around a month, with a cold maceration leading into a cool fermentation, and a long post-fermentation soak under the protection of the carbon dioxide given off by the fermentation. The wines are developed in barrel over 21 to 23 months, with a third of the barrels being replaced each year. After racking they are bottled without fining or filtration.
The domaine produces wines with astonishing depth and density that still retain the freshness, just like Yves' own wines at Domaine Confuron-Cotetidot. They are classic vins de garde and patience is advised - and will be amply rewarded.
Available In Bond:
We also have other vintages of de Courcel wines available to buy In Bond from our Fine wine list.
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