2018 Armand Heitz, Pommard Premier Cru, Les Pezerolles

The 2018 Pommard Les Pézerolles 1er Cru offers brambly red fruit, quite potent earthy/forest floor scents and black pepper, later sage and light bergamot scents. There is a lot going on here. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins, fine acidity, well-balanced with layered, slightly toasty black fruit towards the finish. Moderate length on the aftertaste. This improves in the glass yet the touch of brown sugar element is slightly off-putting. Tasted blind at the Burgfest 2018 red tasting.

100% whole bunch. Tank sample. Darker and more spicy on the nose than the Poutures. You can smell that whole-bunch herbal, peppery character but it is not excessive and very inviting. Unexpectedly creamy in texture, lovely contrast/complement overall. Great length. (JH)