2002 Domaine de Courcel Pommard Grand Clos des Epenots 1er Cru
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Tasting notes
Deep red; in fact, almost ruby, showing virtually no sign of development. Knockout nose combines red fruits, iron and spices, along with some balsamic earth notes and a whiff of caramel; I was reminded of a cave à cigares . Full, lush and utterly seamless; large-scaled but weightless, with the redcurrant and earth flavors showing the beginning of truffle. Totally filled in but still a young wine. This is great right now but has plenty of ripe tannic support to go on for many years. Winemaker Yves Confuron reminded me that "we have much better raw materials today, and we also do much better work in the vines."
Critic scores
Jancis Robinson MW
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
(bottled in July of 2004 without fining or filtration) Deep red. Captivating, highly nuanced nose combines raspberry, cherry, iron, minerals and smoke, along with hints of coffee and white truffle. Penetrating, minerally and brisk, with terrific balance and verve and a strong impression of soil tones. Throws off subtle notes of red fruits, coffee, leather, minerals and earth. Finishes minerally and extremely long. A classic Pommard, and not at all overly sweet. When I told Confuron how much I liked his '99s, he expressed the opinion that his 2002s are better balanced than that earlier vintage, which he described as more rigorous. "The 2002s have more aromas and more tannins than the '99s," he added.
Saturated ruby-red. Pure, ripe aromas of cherry, fruit pit, minerals, chocolate, smoke and earth, with a hint of prune. Big, rich and broad, with almost grenache-like ripeness and density. Finishes with dusty, horizontal tannins and superb length.
Cask sample. Extremely deep purple. Rich and brutal. Again the fruit has its work cut out to combat all that oak. Shame because the fruit is lovely. Curses! Very heavily extracted. Sweet palate hit followed by harsh tannins. Extremely awkward at this stage. (JR)