2015 Pommard Les Rugiens
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Tasting notes
Moderately saturated medium red. Reticent, complex aromas of raspberry, medicinal cherry, coffee and iron. More serious and backward in the mouth than the examples from Beaune and Volnay, showing less easy sweetness but noteworthy focus to its racy red fruit, iron and mineral flavors. This insidiously penetrating wine finishes dry and classic, with a serious tannic spine that will require patience. I'm not sure I would have guessed that this was a 2015.
Critic scores
Average Score
Neal Martin
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The 2015 Pommard 1er Cru Les Rugiens had to follow the superb Volnay 1er Cru Caillerets Ancienne Cuvée Carnot and perhaps as a consequence, felt a little disjointed and mean in comparison—even if there was a small reduction. There are attractive undergrowth, woodland scents permeating the black fruit, although I would have liked to see more vigor. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, moderate depth with good grip, although I find the oak a little out of sync towards the finish. Let's see how this performs once in bottle.
(from Rugiens du Haut, where the soil features a meter of hard white marl over red clay rich in iron): Bright, dark red with ruby tones. Aromas of cassis, iron and underbrush convey an almost metallic minerality. Sappy, fine-grained and suave, with building intensity to its berry and mineral flavors. The wine's distinctive blend of sweet and salty elements is classic Rugiens. Finishes very ripe and long, with refined tannins and terrific energy.
The 2015 Pommard 1er Cru Les Rugiens had to follow the superb Volnay 1er Cru Caillerets Ancienne Cuvee Carnot and perhaps as a consequence, felt a little disjointed and mean in comparison—even if there was a small reduction. There are attractive undergrowth, woodland scents permeating the black fruit, although I would have liked to see more vigor. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, moderate depth with good grip, although I find the oak a little out of sync towards the finish. Let's see how this performs once in bottle. Dec 2016, www.robertparker.com
About the producer
Bouchard Père & Fils is one of Burgundy’s oldest and most established wine producers. Founded in 1731 by Michel Bouchard, it is the largest vineyard owner in the Côte d’Or with 130 hectares of vines.