2012 Pommard Les Rugiens
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Tasting notes
Tasted blind at the annual "Burgfest" tasting in Beaune. The 2012 Pommard 1er Cru les Rugiens from Henri Boillot has a very attractive bouquet: marine-influenced black fruit with fine delineation and poise. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp tannin and plenty of bright red fruit, lightly spiced with a harmonious, tensile finish that feels long and sustained. It dispenses with some of its lush "puppy fat," but is an all-round, very respectable Pommard.
Critic scores
Average Score
Allen Meadows, Burghound
Neal Martin
More reviews and scores
Bright medium red. Fresher and less roasted than the Chevrets, showing lovely mineral lift to the complex aromas of red cherry, iron, underbrush and spices; the Boillots benefited from the energy provided by the portion of their vines that are located in Rugiens du Haut. A sappy expression of soil on the palate, with red fruit, wild herb and white pepper flavors lifted and carried by a menthol quality. Finishes sappy and fresh, with firm tannins and strong soil character. A terrific showing, but built to age.
Plum, black cherry, clove and menthol notes inform the 2012 Pommard Rugiens. Broad and ample on the palate, the Rugiens is also surprisingly dark in this vintage. Even with all of the intensity though, all of the elements remain nicely balanced throughout. Lovely aromatic high notes keep things from tilting towards excess heaviness. The tannins are also a bit more present here than they are in some of the other wines, giving the Rugiens energy, drive and a sense of proportion.
This is a notable step up in both aromatic elegance and complexity with its layered nose of plum, anise, violet and spice nuances. There is a wonderfully intense and refined mouth feel to the broad-shouldered and punchy medium weight flavors that are built on a base of firm minerality. I very much like the depth and length here and while there is still enough unabsorbed wood to notice on the beautifully persistent finish it should be completely integrated with a few years of bottle age. Good stuff. Tasted: Apr 15, 2014. Drink: 2022+
About the producer
Based in Meursault and farming some of the finest vineyards in the Côte de Beaune, Henri Boillot is a leading address in Burgundy. He crafts fine Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, but the estate is best known for its flagship monopole vineyard, Puligny-Montrachet Premier Cru Clos de la Mouchère.