Comte Armand Pommard 1er cru Clos des Epeneaux 2016

95 points Allen Meadows (Burghound): “(the 5+ ha Clos is composed of approximately 80% Petits Epenots and 20% Grands Epenots; the vine ages run from 18 to 80+ years of age; from yields of <25 hl/ha). An all but invisible whiff of wood easily allows the earthy yet quite pretty and cool aromas of plum, violet, dark cherry and soft spice nuances to shine. The mouthfeel of the slightly bigger and richer flavors is also admirably sleek while delivering excellent length on the mouthcoating and well-balanced if presently linear finish. While I wouldn’t describe the 2016 Clos as racy, there is good energy and outstanding power as the low yields really show. This is superb though definitely a wine that will benefit from extended keeping. Drink: 2036+. (Apr 2021)”

95 points Jasper Morris, MW: “The wine spent 8 weeks in the vinification vat from which it has emerged as a beautifully graceful wine. Rich glowing imperial purple. The nose suggests power but without losing the essential elegance of Paul’s style. Little alpine strawberries on the nose, then a greater weight of dark fruit. The tannins are certainly present but equally certainly silky. Long and very fine finish.”

93-95 points Neal Martin (Wine Advocate): “The 2016 Pommard 1er Cru Clos des Epeneaux contains 10% whole-bunch fruit. I tasted from two cuvées, one from the young vines and one from the old. The young vines has clean and pure black cherry, red plum and lightly blueberry fruit that conveys a sense of energy. The palate is well balanced with succulent ripe black fruit, very fine tannin, a taut line of acidity but real complexity and tension from start to finish. I love the harmony and effortlessness of these younger vines. The cuvée from older vines demonstrated more black fruit with traces of undergrowth, a little more rondeur with impressive depth and structure on the persistent, marine/oyster shell-tinged finish. This has enormous potential and may challenge the supremacy of the 2015. Drink: 2020-2040. (Dec 2017)”

94 points Neal Martin (Vinous): “The 2016 Pommard Clos des Epeneaux 1er Cru has a classic, undergrowth infused bouquet, a mixture of red and black fruit, hints of stewed black tea emerging with time, tobacco and rose petal. The palate is medium-bodied with fine grain tannin, succulent and juicy with a fleshy, almost Volnay-like finish that is very appealing. This is a well crafted and comparatively approachable Pommard. Tasted blind at the 2016 Burgfest tasting. Drink: 2021-2040. (Oct 2019)”

93 points William Kelley (Decanter): “The Clos des Epeneaux is again very successful this year, and after two decades of oaky, over-extracted wines from this address, it’s a real pleasure to see the inherent elegance of this great terroir beginning to shine forth, unobscured by obtrusive winemaking. Aromas of wild berries, dried rose petal, rich soil, orange rind and summer truffle precede a full-bodied wine with a chassis of fine-grained tannins, a generous core of sweet fruit and a sapid, penetrating finish. It’s clear that the talented Paul Zinetti is consummating the move away from aggressive extraction and impactful new oak that had already begun under Benjamin Leroux. Drinking Window: 2026-2045. (Oct 2017)”