POMMARD

Localisation : Côte de Beaune
Total vineyard area : 337 ha. of which 135 ha. Premier Cru
Varieties and types of wine : exclusively Pinot Noir producing red wine
Classification : Villages, Premier Cru

Premier Cru "Climats" :

Les Pézerolles : Takes its name from the family who originally owned the land. Full bodied when young the Bouchard Père & Fils Domaine Pommard Pézerolles (of an area of 0.31 hectares) develops tenderness and finesse with time. Its bouquet is generally very intense with aromas of fruit combined with slightly woody touches. Structured and rich, it offers good potential for ageing.

Les Combes Dessus : Bouchard Père & Fils owns 0.75 hectares in this "Appellation", situated near to Volnay on chalky soil with some ferrous deposits. It gives sturdy, robust wines with a bouquet of fruit, animal touches and hint of oak.

Les Rugiens-Hauts : Classed as "Première Cuvée" as early as 1855 by Dr Lavalle (Histoire et statistiques de la vigne et des grands vins de la Côte d'Or), this "Climat" is without doubt one of the most famous of Pommard. Its reputation is such that there was even a question of adding the name to the Village of Pommard. Bouchard Père & Fils has been an owner here since 1853 and today still has 0.41 ha. which were bought at the time. Of exemplary composition, Pommard Rugiens is a perfect example of strength and character with exemplary potential for ageing.

Les Chanlins-Bas : Bouchard Père & Fils owns 0,75 hectares here, near to Volnay. Full and structured, this "Climat" often produces wines with spicy, peppery notes which require a little patience before they open out fully.

In the 13th century, Pommard belonged to Alix de Vergy, the wife of Eudes II, Duke of Burgundy. In 1224 and 1240 she gave it to the archbishops of Lyon. Then Pommard successively became the property of the dukedom, the aristocracy and religious orders. With the French Revolution of 1789, the property was divided up, as the rest of the vineyards in the Côte d'Or.

The vines are planted on chalk and clay coloured red by ferrous oxide and generally free draining. The soil and subsoil give Pommard exemplary colour, solidity and aromatic expression. As Victor Hugo, the 19th century French poet liked to say : Pommard wines have "gusto, inspiration and sometimes genius".

Photographic credit : Dominique Pernin