Three "Noses" tasted the 2007 Comte Armand "Clos des Epeneaux" Monopole and give their candid opinions of this Burgundy wine...

Many view the 2007 Burgundy vintage as a vintage of extremes.  2007 was a year of unreliable weather trends; starting with an unseasonably hot spring, perhaps the warmest in 50 years, the vines were easily coaxed out of their dormant winter state only to be lead into summer weather that turned unseasonably cool and humid.   August rains gave Burgundian winemakers more worries but the weather finally cooperated and ushered in a warm, dry September to widen the ripening and harvest window just enough. 

Although winemaker skill is always an important ingredient in the best Burgundy wines,  the 2007 vintage required winemakers to be at the top of their game to make the best wine in this challenging vintage.  Producers had to make careful decisions about harvest dates, sort grapes meticulously to select only the best grapes, and then work very carefully in the winery to get desired results.  Difficult throughout.

3 years hence many Burgundy producers are finding that their hard work paid off.   Comte Armand is satisfied that in spite of the small volumes, their 2007 "des Epeneaux" gives plent of of fresh, bright fruit flavour and delivers the quality the terroir's reputation has earned over the years.

Le Clos des Epeneaux is a magnificent 5 hectare vineyard parcel situated at the base of slope on rocky, brown calcareous soils.  The vines are between 15 to 65 years old and are known for producing dense, structured wines with an ageing potential of around 10-15 years in good vintages.

The final cuvée is a blend of wines from different parcels and is named Pommard 1ere Cru des Epeneaux Monopole.  (Monopole is simply Burgundian for a wholly-owned vineyard)

Listen in on what the Noses had to say about this wine...

Comte Armand Pommard 1er Cru Clos des Epeneaux is available at Crystal Wines.

Contributed by Sarah Mayo, TLN Editor