Comte Armand, Clos des Epeneaux Pommard Premier Cru, Burgundy, France, 2010

Overview of the Wine
The "Domaine des Epeneaux" owes its name to The "Clos des Epeneaux", somptuous piece of land of five hectares acquired by Nicolas Marey, in the late of the XVIIIth century and early of the XIXth. In 1828, The "Clos des Epeneaux" and its building, located in the center of Pommard and known under Fief Rancy's name, where there and then included in the estate of Count Armand's family.

The Domaine remained as it was until to 1994, when it was expanded to vines in Volnay, then with plots of Auxey-Duresses. Actually, Le Domaine des Epeneaux stretches out over a total surface of 7,5 hectares and developes wines which will be, for every one, the expression of its "terroir".

After a seven year apprenticeship, the capable Paul Zinetti has taken over here and done an exceptional job under the tricky conditions. Fully organic since 2005 and now certified as biodynamic, the lower parts of the vineyard are worked by horse and the reduced compaction is already resulting in a better soil structure. Epeneaux is, of course, one of the great reds of the Cotes de Beaune.

Grape / Blend
Pinot Noir

Origin
Côte de O'r, Burgundy, France

Winemaker's Tasting Notes
Steeming from a "terroir" located at the bottom of the hill, on a brown, limestone ground, very poor and stony on the surface, with a layer of hard rocks underneath. This wine is heavy and deep, with a structure and great finesse and to be kept : ten to fifteen years for age.

In the "Clos des Epeneaux", vines stretchs out ten to seventy years. The Pommard Clos des Epeneaux 1er cru results of the blending of this different plots.

95 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2010 Pommard Clos des Epeneaux could be Leroux’s finest so far. It has a convincing, elegant bouquet that at this early juncture bears semblances to the 2008, but ramps up the intensity without compensating on delineation, with subtle notes of spice and balsam coming through. The palate is medium-bodied with a sweet, candied entry. This is very pure, soft and caressing in the mouth but around the sides you can feel the tannins gently exerting their grip. There is not a hair out of place on this glorious, shimmering Clos des Epeneaux. Magnifique!

94 Points - Vinous
Comte Armand’s 2010 Pommard Clos des Epeneaux kicks off the tasting in grand style. What can I say? The 2010 is a great example of the year. Layers of generous fruit are buffered by underlying veins of acidity and minerality in a wine that is already virtually impossible to resist. This is a fabulous showing from a wine that consistently overdelivers. Already, the room is buzzing.

Product size: 750ml