2016 Pommard Les Rugiens
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Tasting notes
The 2017 Pommard Les Rugiens 1er Cru has a very perfumed, floral bouquet of red berry fruit infused with rose petal and lavender notes. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, fleshy and harmonious. The oak is well integrated, and the finish fans out wonderfully. Excellent. (NM)
Critic scores
Average Score
Richard Hemming MW, jancisrobinson.com
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
A subtle application of wood frames the brooding earthy and somber red and dark berry aromas that are laced with notes of spice and floral hints. There is excellent drive and delineation to the powerful and focused flavors that are not particularly concentrated but deliver impressively good length on the built-to-age and youthfully austere finale. While this won't wow you with its density, the flavor authority is excellent and I very much like the balanced.
The 2016 Pommard 1er Cru Les Rugiens is also quite reserved, offering up aromas of sweet red berries, dark soil tones and spicy new oak. On the palate, the wine is quite medium to full-bodied, chalky and firm, with broad shoulders and good concentration at the core. It's a promising Rugiens in the making but it will demand some patience.
Cask sample. Much more restrained than Volnays and the tannins have a bitter, aggressive quality that needs time to soften. Black fruits and pepper. Burgundy by way of Hermitage? Hefty and broad-shouldered. (RH)