Xavier Monnot Pommard Les Vignots 2020
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Jasper
Morris -
Wine
Spectator
Product Details
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Winemaker Notes
Pommard Les Vignots is a lieu-dit that sits on the upper slope of the combe behind the village of Pommard. This south-facing climat gives wines with typical Pommard power while its elevation of over 300 meters lends high-toned aromas and finesse.
Professional Ratings
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Vinous
The 2020 Pommard Les Vignots has a lively, minty bouquet that is well defined, quite floral with iris flowers emerging with time. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins, quite structured with a vibrant saline finish that lingers. This must be the "dark horse" of Monnot's range.
Barrel Sample: 91-93 -
Jasper Morris
Dark bright purple, this Pommard Vignots has a most beautifully expressive bouquet. Two thirds pinot fin planted by his grandfather, supplemented by fruit from young vines from 2013 to give some energy. Perfect degree of ripeness. Bravo, plenty of tannins, good acidity, vibrant.
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Wine Spectator
Dense, with blackberry and plum flavors shaded by iron, earth and spice. Shows broad shoulders and dusty tannins, but plenty of fruit too.
Other Vintages
2018-
Robert
Parker
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Robert
Parker
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Robert
Parker
Xavier Monnot is a leading producer in Meursault whose winemaking style emphasizes purity of fruit, elegance, and complexity. Xavier can trace his mother’s ancestors, the Monniers, back to 1723, with six generations of winegrowing. Xavier took over in 1994 after completing his oenological studies and began replanting parcels with a combination of selection massale from old vines and new clones, and updated the cellar with modern equipment. Prior to the release of the 2005 vintage, the property was known as Domaine René Monnier (Xavier's grandfather). In 2005, along with improvements in the vineyard and cellar, Xavier began bottling his wines under his own label.”
Thin-skinned, finicky and temperamental, Pinot Noir is also one of the most rewarding grapes to grow and remains a labor of love for some of the greatest vignerons in Burgundy. Fairly adaptable but highly reflective of the environment in which it is grown, Pinot Noir prefers a cool climate and requires low yields to achieve high quality. Outside of France, outstanding examples come from in Oregon, California and throughout specific locations in wine-producing world. Somm Secret—André Tchelistcheff, California’s most influential post-Prohibition winemaker decidedly stayed away from the grape, claiming “God made Cabernet. The Devil made Pinot Noir.”
Representing some of the darkest, deepest and sturdiest Pinot Noir of Burgundy, Pommard is one of the two villages in Côte de Beaune—along with Volnay—that is recognized for its impressive Pinot Noir. While it can’t boast any Grands Crus vineyards, its extraordinary Premiers Crus vineyards are aplenty.
Les Pézerolles, Les Épenots, Clos des Épeneaux, Les Chanlins, Les Jarolières, Les Fremiers and particularly Les Rugiens are among the most outstanding Premiers Crus.
The best Pommards will be concentrated in flavors such as black cherry, blackberry and dark chocolate, have dazzling aromas of violets, menthol or wild herbs and a firm and powerful finish. They typically demand some time in the bottle to reach their peak.