89-91 Allen Meadows - Burghound

"An upper register nose of surpassing elegance features aromas of pure pinot extract nuanced with crushed stone and herbs that are followed by complex, velvety and wonderfully intense flavors underpinned by excellent finishing persistence. This is defined by its minerality and displays near perfect balance. I like this." 89 - 91 Points - Allen Meadows - Burghound.com

VINEYARD:
"The village of Pommard is situated between Volnay to the South and Beaune to the North. Pommard is on a slope, between 240 and 380 metres, facing east or south-east. Pommard can only be red. There is no grand cru wines."

"The "Les Pezerolles" is situated in the northern part of the commune, near Beaune vineyards and just over "Les Epenots" vineyards." -Importer

VINIFICATION:
"The fruit is sorted as it arrives and allowed to macerate under temperature control for several days before fermentation begins naturally, also under thermoregulation, with daily pumping over. The vatting lasts 15 to 20 days before a light pressing. The musts are allowed to settle for a minimum of two weeks to permit removal of the gross lees. The wine is then transferred to barrel by gravity. Nicolas uses on average 20% new oak, 50% second use. As the cellar is cold, the maturation is long, from 16 to 18 months. The wines remain on their lees until the following harvest. It is important to note that even the ones purchased are brought to Nuits still on their lees. The lunar cycle is closely followed when working the cuvées, in order to retain a maximum of aromas. The wines are racked with the falling moon and retain more, and purer flavors. In the early spring the wines are racked once more, again with the falling moon, in order to carry out the final blends. In 1999 most of the wines were neither filtered nor fined (with few exceptions) before bottling, which is done by gravity in order to further protect the flavors. This climat is the best village cru Pommard, on the south-facing slope of the Nantoux hill. The very rocky soils are brown chalk over Jurassic marl. The lees were stirred every other month; matured in 100% new oak. Production: 225 cases" -Importer

DOMAINE:
"Maison Nicolas Potel was founded by Nicolas Potel in 1997 and is managed today in the spirit of its founder to source and vinify small lots of hand crafted wines from selected appellations throughout Burgundy’s Cote de Beaune and Cote de Nuits."

All wines bearing the name “Nicolas Potel” are vinified in house (Maison) from hand sorted old-vine parcels of grapes. No negociant wine is ever included in these exceptional wines. The cellars are contemporary to the extreme located in a “loft” hangar opposite the train station in Nuits St Georges. All vines are at least 35 years-old; the average age is 60. Selection massale vines are used, propagated from cuttings taken from selected, older vines. These vines are naturally self-regulating, with an optimal balance of vegetation to fruit, producing low yields of small, thick-skinned, concentrated grapes which result in wines of great personality and character. No acidification, enzymes, selected yeasts or added chemicals are used, and minimal sulfur. Aging on fine lees brings “more intensity of aromas” while there is minimal racking to avoid reduction. New oak is used judiciously. The goal is to “respect the terroir by natural winemaking." -Importer

This wine was also scored 88 Points by the International Wine Cellar.