2020 Pommard, Les Pézerolles, 1er Cru, Domaine de Montille, Burgundy

Sandy limestone soils; 33% whole bunch. Cask sample.

Very silky fruit and, despite that Pommard mass, neither backward not sluggish. 

Drink 2025 - 2035

Closure: Diam

The 2020 Pommard Les Pezerolles 1er Cru contains 50% whole cluster. It has a well-defined and focused bouquet of blackberry, which is quite sensual with a touch of dried orange peel. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, fleshy and ripe, maybe not quite a well-defined as the best Volnay with a slightly ferrous finish. Fine.

Drink 2024 - 2036

From a 1.36 ha holding; 50% whole clusters

This too is intensely floral in character with nuances of rose petal, violet and lavender to the subtle spicy red berry fruit scents. There is both excellent precision and verve to the beautifully textured medium-weight flavours that terminate in a clean and sleek, if mildly austere, finale. This isn’t unduly structured but is a wine that will still require at least 5-ish years of forbearance.

Drink from 2028 onward

50% whole cluster, largely from Hubert’s original Clos. Just above 13%. Heady deep purple, peppery on the nose, blended in with a deep coulis de framboise style fruit. Powerful and ripe fruit once again, with physiological elements which are only just ripe. Several of the de Montille reds are showing the paradox of the vintage, one which I think will resolve itself positively.

From a lieu-dit on the border with Beaune, this is a silky, elegant wine with none of the slightly rustic edge one associates with Pommard. The fruit is high-toned red berry fruit with a floral edge, and the finesse and velvety texture on the palate are a joy. Winemaker Brian Sieve notes that the profile of the 2018s and 2020s have some similarities, but acidity in 2020s is more evident, accented by an early picking date.

Drink 2025 - 2060