2009 Roux Pere & Fils Pommard

Domaine Roux Pere & Fils dates to the late 19th century, when the Roux family acquired 10 acres in Saint-Aubin. Today the domaine is run by Christian Roux and his sons Sebastien and Matthieu, and the it includes 160 acres in the Côte de Beaune, the Côte de Nuits and the Côte Chalonnaise. The domaine is one of the largest in the area and produces a large portfolio of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

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.