2020 Pommard Epenots 1er Cru

Christine Dubreuil and her daughter Clémentine showed me through their white and red 2020s at their busy winery in Pernand-Vergelesses. “We started the harvest on August 20 and finished on August 27," Christine informed me. "It was a fairly easy season, as there was not too much disease pressure. It turned very hot at the end of July and early August, causing some yellowing of leaves and leaf-fall. There was some grillure, especially on the west-facing side. We did not do any de-leafing, but the sun was so strong. We’re happy with the quantity of the whites, but the red berries had little juice when we pressed them. We lost maybe 30–40%. I like the wines because they are powerful but fresh, and you don’t really feel the power because of the acidity." I enjoyed this latest portfolio. There were one or two that exhibited some overripeness, but certainly as you move up to the Premier Crus, despite some toppy alcohol levels, they manage to steer the fruit away from black toward red and maintain balance. Try the Corton Clos-du-Roi or Savigny-lès-Beaune Vieilles Vignes on for size. You might find they fit.