Yves Confuron, of Domaine Confuron-Cotétidot, has also long been responsible for this great estate. The wines are superb, but alas, once again we have a year of minuscule yields.
As is standard, the harvest is very late and the grapes are not destemmed.
2016 Pommard Vaumuriens
This wine is dense and pure with dark fruits and a lightness of texture from the limestone soils. The vineyard is just above Rugiens and this village wine is better than a substantial number of Rugiens, even Rugiens-du-Bas (supposedly the best part of Rugiens). (91-94)
2016 Pommard 1er Cru Les Croix Noires
The nose of the Croix Noires is smoky. The mouth has dense blue fruits with a velvet/silk texture. The tannins are round and there’s plenty of freshness here. (92-95)
2016 Pommard 1er Cru Les Frémiers
The Frémiers also has blue fruits, and there is some spice to go with them. Typical of the vineyard, this wine is airy with a light texture and very good depth. (92-96)
2016 Pommard 1er Cru Grand Clos des Epenots
De Courcel’s Grand Clos des Epenots has no shortage of tannins, but they show finesse. The Epenots textural smoothness comes through, and the wine features dark fruits that are long and intense. But this wine will need some time to develop. (92-95)
2016 Pommard 1er Cru Les Rugiens
As usual, the Rugiens is the pick of the crop. The wine is spicy and pure with penetrating red fruits, and there’s great energy here. (94-97)