Appearance: Deep, dark red core, lightening toward the rim.
Nose: Pretty and expressive on opening. Ripe, jammy red berries and cherries, with iron or blood, a lactic note, damp earth, and a touch of smoke. After two hours, the lactic and smoky notes have blown off (is this reduction?). The nose is now polished and well-rounded, almost velvety.
Palate: Candied cherry and raspberry liqueur, with underripe cherry, raspberry, and strawberry adding tension. Leather and a peppery, spicy note, almost Sichuan peppercorn. Tannins are fine, powdery, and grippy, with high acidity and a long finish (~40 seconds). Still quite structured after two hours, but noticeably softer and very enjoyable. Beginning to drink well now with plenty of life ahead.
Now for the question: I’ve been reading a book on Burgundy, and the chapter on Clos de Vougeot describes the lower parcels as more fertile, giving deeper color, more structure and tannin, and a rustic edge compared with the upper parcels. Les Tavannes sits at the lowest part of the slope, on soil the domaine says is unmapped, and this bottle fits that description: dark color, grippy tannin, power.
For those with more Pommard experience, is there a similar parallel here, or is this more vintage or house style? I realize Pommard is generally a structured, expressive Pinot, so the baseline is already firm. However, are higher vineyard like “Les Noizons” more elegant or softer by comparison?
Thanks in advance!
