Pommard 1er Cru "Clos Orgelot" Monopole 2017

Garnet red with pronounced lightening toward the rim. On the nose, sour cherry, raspberry, fig and vineyard peach, along with a hint of orange zest. After extended contact with oxygen, violet, juniper and clove emerge, followed by lovage, wood smoke and iron, lending the wine a savoury, umami-laden depth.

The Clos Orgelot measures 1.1 hectares, lies at 310 metres altitude with an east-facing aspect, and adjoins directly above Pommard Epenots. The soil is characterised by clay and limestone. Planting took place in three stages, in 1921, 1990 and 1993. Clos du Moulin aux Moines in Auxey-Duresses traces back to a founding by the monks of the Abbey of Cluny in 962. Willy Roulendes has run the domaine since 2008 and has converted the 16 hectares to biodynamic farming, worked by hand or with the horse.

Pinot Noir, hand-harvested at a yield of 25 to 30 hectolitres per hectare. Ageing lasted 18 to 22 months in barrique, of which 10 to 15 percent new oak. Total production is 1,600 bottles, 13.0% vol., dry.

Silky structure, fine fruit sweetness, set against the fine bite of still-youthful tannin, powerful and full-bodied in its flow. It is already approachable now, and will grow more refined with age. Currently best decanted and drunk from a large Burgundy glass.

Porcini mushrooms with argan oil and fleur de sel with crusty baguette, shoyu ramen with duck or pike-perch with baked blood sausage praline on lentils with vineyard peach wedges.

One of four monopole vineyards of the domaine. The wines age in cellars dating from the 11th and 15th centuries; since 2020, Michael Schwab has been supporting the daily work.