1986 Jaffelin Caves du Chapitre Pommard

Jaffelin is a negociant with a 200-year history in Burgundy. Today it is owned by Boisset Family Estates and is located in Beaune. The negociant’s cellar is located in the “chapitre,” or former monks’ residence, that was part of Beaune’s landmark, Romanesque Catholic church. Jaffelin produces the Premier Cru Mercurey Clos de Paradis, Auxey-Duress Blanc, and Les Chapitres de Jaffelin, which is sourced from parcels in Marsanny, the Hautes Cotes de Beaune and the Cote de Beaune.

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.