2014 Domaine Launay-Horiot Pommard Les Rugiens

Domaine Launay-Horiot is owned by Xavier Horiot, grandson of Raymond Launay, the former estate owner and vigneron. But despite Xavier Horiot’s family connections, he almost didn’t inherit the property. When his grandfather died in 2000 he left his 10-acre domaine to Xavier and Xavier’s aunt. The aunt wanted to sell the property, but Xavier waged an 11-year battle in court to keep her from doing so. In 2011 the court ruled in Xavier’s favor and in 2014 Xavier produced his first vintage as the new proprietor. Wine Advocate has complimented the estate’s wines for their “commendable terroir expression and precision.”

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.