Pre-Release Offer … Domaine de Courcel

From Jasper Morris MW from his comprehensive handbook “Inside Burgundy”:-
“This is one of Pommard’s grandest domaines. It has been in the family since the 17th century, albeit with various changes of name through passing down through the female line. It is currently owned by Gilles de Courcel, whose day job is managing Chanson Père&Fils, and his three sisters.
The Domaine de Courcel produces Pommard with very traditional methods. Wines undergo a relatively warm fermentation, with at least three weeks of maceration and two to three punchings of the “cap” per day, resulting in a fine extraction of fruit, colour and tannins. The wines have been made by Vosne-Romanée vigneron Yves Confuron since 1996. The grapes are vinified with their stems after a severe sorting process. They are then matured in barrel for 18 months or more, without racking. There is not much reliance on new oak. The resulting wines have subtlety and richness that accompany a remarkable ability to age.
Generics apart, their vineyards are entirely within Pommard: Vaumuriens (village) and premiers crus Croix Noires, Fremiers, 2.64 acres of Rugiens (Bas) and 12.35 acres of Grand Clos des Epenots, which is a quasi-monopole. The wines produced from the latter of these sites are considered to be among the longest-lived wines of the Côte de Beaune. They do not own the whole of it since a family division in 1975, but are the only producer to offer a wine under this name.”
Pommard 1er Cru CROIX NOIRES 2012 RRP $212 Our Special Price $177.99
The Croix Noires (0.58h) are located below the Rugiens, adjacent to the Frémiers on the north side. The Domaine owns more than half of the total surface of the appellation. Although situated close to the Frémiers, the soil here is deeper (0.8m) and more claey. The vines are east facing and all around 40 years of age. The wines produced have strong aromas leaning towards very ripe black cherry and also enjoy marked tannins.
“This is quite ripe though it stops short of being surmature with its nose of plum liqueur, mocha, black cherry and earth aromas. There is exceptionally good richness to the very suave and succulent medium weight flavors that are supported by phenolically mature tannins on the mouth coating finish. This is a big and overtly powerful wine yet it’s not especially rustic or austere. 2024+” 92 points, Allen Meadows, www.Burghound.com (Apr 2015)
“Good dark red. Wild, very ripe aromas of raspberry, dried flowers and wild herbs. Dark berry flavors display a juicy character along with a note of chocolatey ripeness. An outperformer for this cru, finishing with substantial but tasty tannins and lovely persistence.. I underestimated this last year.” 90 points Stephen Tanzer, www.vinousmedia.com (Mar 2015)
“Bewitching iodine, medicine and mint character – not conventional but utterly delicious, with a fantastic cranberry fruit. Loads and loads of tannin too – this is clearly made very traditionally, with an imperative to age. 2022-2042” 17++ Richard Hemming – www.JancisRobinson.com
Pommard 1er Cru Grand Clos Des Epenots 2012 RRP $267 Our Special Price $224.99
Le Grand Clos des Epenots is a monopole of the Domaine. The vines are 60 years old and the plot of 4.89 hectares of land is located north of Pommard, at the start of the slope and is east facing. The soil, which is rich in clay and limestone, is brown and strewn with limestone rocks. This premier cru is regarded as up there with the finest and most long lived wines in the Cote de Beaune.
“It’s hard to choose between this and Les Rugiens from the same domaine in 2012, such is the quality of both bottlings from the outrageously talented Yves Confuron. This is a dense, concentrated wine, but it’s sappy, lively and refined too, with marked, savoury whole bunch characters on the nose and palate and succulent fruit sweetness. 2018-30” 95 points Tim Atkin MW, www.timatkin.com
“Good full red. Liqueur-like ripeness to the aromas of redcurrant, leather and musky underbrush. Lovely Pommard depth and soil tones to the complex flavors of red berries, smoked meat, spices and pepper. Finishes with dusty tannins and a lingering note of licorice. Excellent potential.” 91-93 Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar
“Really delicious rhubarb, cranberry and redcurrant fruit – lots to enjoy here already, really expressive and satisfying. Plenty of tannin and acid too – bold and stylised, but successfully so. 2017-2032” 17.5 Richard Hemming – www.JancisRobinson.com