2010 Pommard Grands Epenots

The 2010 Pommard Grands Epenots flows across the palate with layers of expressive red fruit. It shows lovely depth and volume in a fairly understated style for Pommard. High-toned floral notes add lift on the silky polished finish. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2022. I tasted an amazing range of 2010 reds at Jadot with long-term winemaker Jacques Lardiere and his successor Frederic Barnier. In order to make this large section of the report easier to read, I have broken up the wines into the Cote de Beaune and Cote de Nuits. Lardiere and Barnier told me they were quite worried about the prospects for the harvest upon their return from summer vacations in August, but the year was saved by a perfect September. Yields are down 25-50% because of the frost and cold weather earlier in the year, but overall quality is very high. Lardiere and Barnier also noted that early on it appeared that there would be a wide gap in quality between the Cote de Beaune and the Cote de Nuits, but over time that gap narrowed to some extent. Still, there is little question the vintage was more challenging in the Cote de Beaune because of a rainier summer and overall higher precipitation throughout the year. Importer: Kobrand Corp., Purchase, NY; tel. (914) 253-7756

Very angular on the nose. But sleek fruit with a dry, rather bitter finish. Very drying for the moment. Very true to fine Pommard with a certain transparency. Should make old bones. It will never be luscious but it is true. (JR)