2014 Domaine Launay-Horiot Pommard

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.”

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.