2018 Michel Gaunoux Pommard Rugiens Les Rugiens Bas

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 Rugiens is really two vineyards. Les Rugiens-Hauts, or “upper,” is a 16-acre Premier Cru vineyard and Les Rugiens-Bas, or “lower,” is a 14.5-acre Premier Cur vineyard just below it. Both are in the Pommard appellation in Burgundy’s Cote de Beaune, just south of the village. Since there are no Grand Crus in Pommard, the Premier Crus have special importance. Robert M. Parker Jr. has written that “Pommard at its best is the fullest wine made in the Cote de Beaune.”

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.