2015 Pommard en Brescul

The 2015 Pommard Brescul comes from a parcel purchased by Laurent Lignier with some associates, partly because his other parcels were frosted over and/or hailed upon in recent years. It is located on a terraced part of the vineyard. It felt a little muted on the nose with touches of kirsch and balsamic eventually emerging. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy red berry fruit, here showing the density and vigor of the 2015 vintage; it finish with the aplomb that I wish was expressed by the nose. Perhaps it will improve once it is bottled.

Planted in the late 1990s on the Beaune side. It was hailed in 2014, just after Lignier bought it. Half frozen in 2016. So this was the first proper vintage for Lignier. Very hard pruned so this fruit was very concentrated. Very rich and round. Bright fruit and lots of density. Fruitier than the average Pommard. (JR)

(from three terraces at an altitude of 340 meters on the Beaune side of the village, planted in 1997): Medium red. Aromas of redcurrant and minerals, plus a note of leather. Supple and surprisingly sweet for Pommard (this is 13.5 alcohol without chaptalization!), but with good savory restraint to its redcurrant fruit. Finishes with rich, building tannins and a juiciness that stimulates the taste buds. This potentially outstanding Pommard villages should be flexible at the dinner table. Incidentally, the Ligniers' vines in Pommard Chanlins, which Laurent Lignier described as very weak, produced very little fruit in 2015. They were pulled up following the harvest and are slated for replanting in 2018.)