2018 Domaine Comte Armand Pommard Clos des Epeneaux 1er Cru

The 2018 Pommard Clos des Epeneaux 1er Cru is much more understated on the nose compared to its peers. Well-defined, with red berry fruit, forest floor, bay leaf and light truffle scents. The palate is well balanced with sappy red fruit, lightly spiced with candid orange peel and blood orange surfacing towards the persistent finish. It does not quite have the pedigree of the very finest 2018s Pommard, but it is clearly well made. Tasted blind at the Burgfest 2018 red tasting.

Outstanding. A soft dollop of wood frames the distinctly earthy aromas of plum, black pinot fruit and violet that are definitely ripe yet remain nicely fresh. The medium-bodied flavors possess a beguiling texture and fine mid-palate concentration thanks to the abundant dry extract that serves to buffer the firm and vaguely rustic tannic spine supporting the balanced and beautifully persistent finale. This is marked by the warmth of the 2018 vintage yet even so, it manages to remain inviting and refreshing. In a word, excellent.

The 2018 Pommard Clos des Epeneaux 1er Cru is quite rich on the nose, precocious black cherries, mint and raspberry, rose petal notes emerging with time. The palate is slightly gamey on the entry. Fine depth here, leathery, perhaps a little savoury towards the finish. I was more positive in my review last year, but maybe it's just beginning to reveal its limitation, or rather, it's shortcomings vis-à-vis the '19.