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Domaine Aleth Girardin, Pommard, Les Epenots, Premier Cru

Burgundy, France 2007 (750mL)
$85.00
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Fruit
Earth
Body
Tannin
Acid
Alcohol

Domaine Aleth Girardin, Pommard, Les Epenots, Premier Cru


At 20 years old, Aleth Girardin had an intention to become a lawyer, but her family’s winemaking tradition naturally pulled her back into the wine business. When she began in 1978, it was not widely accepted in Burgundy for a female to work at a Domaine—she had to prove herself to be taken seriously. For the next 17 years she dedicated her life to learning the ways of the Domaine and finally took the reigns in 1995 when her parents retired. Today, Aleth is a respected winemaker in Pommard who represents 5 generations of winemakers and oversees production of 7 hectares of vines in Pommard, Beaune and Meursault. Most vines owned by the Domaine are over 60 years old, but her holdings in Epenots and the Rugiens-Bas are nearly 110 years old! These old vines yield a minuscule amount of wine and are incredibly labor intensive. After harvest, 80% of the grapes are destemmed and the remainder added in whole clusters. After a gentle and delicate fermentation, the pressed wine is gravity fed into roughly 35% new French oak.

The 2007 Pommard Epenots has a highly reflective light ruby core moving to light garnet and orange reflections on the rim. After sufficient air, the nose is perfect—incredibly clean and highly perfumed, showing aromatics of preserved red cherries, wild strawberry, black tea, salted orange peel, wet rose petals and wet clay. The palate is rich and velvet-like in texture with tannins that seamlessly integrate. Flavors on the palate are driven by complex red fruits with layers of dried flowers, leather, game and wet stone. I do not advise decanting this wine, although it does need air. Upon opening, the wine will show a touch of cellar funk which will quickly blow off after 10-15 minutes in the glass. To enjoy, I would advise removing the cork and letting the wine rest for 30-45 minutes at cellar before touching the wine, then pour into large Burgundy stems at roughly 60 degrees and the wine should peak for the next hour or more. This wine is beginning the early years of its peak which should last another decade if kept well. Pairing possibilities are limitless, but with a wine of this clarity and purity keep the dish simple so the wine will shine. I often go to Zuni Cafe in San Francisco and enjoy mature Red Burgundy—it is one of life's great pleasures. If you have never had the chicken, this recipe is a step by step guide which will create an almost exact replica of one of the most legendary chicken preparations anywhere. If paired with this wine I assure you an amazing evening.
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Country
France
Region
Burgundy
Sub-Region
FrancePommard 1er Cru
Soil
Limestone and Clay
Farming
Lutte Raisonée
Blend
Pinot Noir
Alcohol
13.0
OAK
35% New French

France

Bourgogne

Beaujolais

Enjoying the greatest wines of Beaujolais starts, as it usually does, with the lay of the land. In Beaujolais, 10 localities have been given their own AOC (Appellation of Controlled Origin) designation. They are: Saint Amour; Juliénas; Chénas; Moulin-à Vent; Fleurie; Chiroubles; Morgon; Régnié; Côte de Brouilly; and Brouilly.

Southwestern France

Bordeaux

Bordeaux surrounds two rivers, the Dordogne and Garonne, which intersect north of the city of Bordeaux to form the Gironde Estuary, which empties into the Atlantic Ocean. The region is at the 45th parallel (California’s Napa Valley is at the38th), with a mild, Atlantic-influenced climate enabling the maturation of late-ripening varieties.

Central France

Loire Valley

The Loire is France’s longest river (634 miles), originating in the southerly Cévennes Mountains, flowing north towards Paris, then curving westward and emptying into the Atlantic Ocean near Nantes. The Loire and its tributaries cover a huge swath of central France, with most of the wine appellations on an east-west stretch at47 degrees north (the same latitude as Burgundy).

Northeastern France

Alsace

Alsace, in Northeastern France, is one of the most geologically diverse wine regions in the world, with vineyards running from the foothills of theVosges Mountains down to the Rhine River Valley below.

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