Wine Region: Burgundy - France
Grape: 100% Pinot Noir
Tasting notes:It can be difficult to identify this Pommard in blind tastings because it is atypical. Its floral, perfumed and yet subtle aromas mix with small red and black fruits which are framed by a rather light, svelte and feminine structure accompanied by a simultaneously generous yet tense texture.
Expert Rating:
Tim Atkin: 94 Points
Jasper Morris: 91-93 Points
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.
Burghound : 91-93 Points
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.
Vinous : 90-92/100
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.
Jancis Robinson: 17/20
Sandy limestone soils; 33% whole bunch. Cask sample.
Very silky fruit and, despite that Pommard mass, neither backward not sluggish.
Decanter : 94/100
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.
About the Winery: After being founded in the 1750s, in the mid-18th century, the Domaine de Montille century extended over 12 hectares. The family's financial problems meant that Etienne de Montille, the manager at that time, had to abandon certain parcels of land and focus on 3 hectares, mainly in Volnay. With the arrival of Hubert de Montille, Etienne's grandson, the domaine took off in another direction. Like his father, Hubert was a lawyer, however he would go on to lead a double life as a wine grower and a lawyer. He decided to produce his own wines from A to Z. Within a few decades, he would become one of the finest examples in the region, perfectly expressing the terroir of each climat with pure and elegant wines.
Today, the domaine is managed by Etienne and Alix de Montille, Hubert's children who also were originally steered towards a legal career. The domaine now has 20 hectares of vines, including 15 of grand and premier crus, on the best climats of Burgundy, in white and red! Domaine de Montille now produces its wines using biodynamic methodology, perpetuating the tradition of innovation and excellence introduced by Hubert de Montille. Etienne and Alix also created a mini trading structure, Maison Deux Montille Soeur Frère.
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