2010 Michel Gaunoux Pommard Grands Epenots

Michel Gaunoux is a 25-acre estate based in Corton. Founded in 1885, it has been in the Gaunoux family ever since. Michel Gaunoux ran it until is his death in 1984, when his widow took over. Today Michel’s son Alexandre runs the estate, which continues to make wines in a traditional style. Michel Gaunoux has Grand Cru parcels in Corton Les Renardes and Premier Crus in Pommard.

Les Grands Epenots is a 25-acre Premier Cru vineyard in Pommard, in Burgundy’s Cote de Beaune. It is in the central part of the Pommard appellation, to the east of the village. There is a gentle slope to the vineyards in this part of Pommard, and the Burgundy expert Clive Coates notes that “the presence of pebbles in the soil ensures good drainage and contributes to the considerable elegance which you find in a good Epenots…” Because Pommard has no Grand Crus, its Premier Crus are especially noteworthy. Pommard is an appellation of red wine only.

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.