2014 Roger Belland Pommard Les Cras

Domaine Roger Belland is a family estate that dates to the early 19th century. Located in the village of Santenay-la-Bas, the domaine includes nearly 60 vineyard acres in Les Maranges, Santenay, Puligny, Chassagne Montrachet, Meursault, Volnay and Pommard. The family also holds the single largest parcel of the Grand Cru Criots Batard Montrachet. Roger and his daughter Julie are the fifth and sixth generations of the Belland family to run the estate.

Pommard is a relatively large appellation of 1,655 vineyard acres just a few miles south of Beaune. Though it has no Grands Crus, Pommard’s 28 Premiers Crus are generally well regarded. The appellation produces only red wine, and wine writers often note that despite Pommard’s proximity to both Beaune and Volnay, its wines are very different from the Pinot Noirs produced in neighboring appellations. Robert M. Parker Jr. wrote that “The top Pommards are full-bodied, chunky, muscular, fleshy wines that impress one more for their power and expansive, mouth filling texture than for pure finesse.” The most famous Premiers Crus are Les Epenots and Les Rugiens.

This red wine is relatively light and can pair with a wide variety of foods. The grape prefers cooler climates and the wine is most often associated with Burgundy, Champagne and the U.S. west coast. Regional differences make it nearly as fickle as it is flexible.