Comte Armand Pommard 1er cru Clos des Epeneaux 2020

96 points Charles Curtis, MW (Decanter): "The final blend of this is superb, including both the energy of the young vines and the density of the old. They deliver a lush, spicy fruit with a strong mineral underpinning, a dense texture, firm but supple tannins and an infinitely rewarding finish. The Clos des Epeneaux is produced from a monopole of 5.23ha located at the juncture of Grands Epenots (20%) and Petits Epenots (80%). The clos is divided by regisseur Paul Zinetti into four main subdivisions by age of vine and underlying soils which are farmed and vinified separately. Drinking Window: 2025-2050. (11/10/21)"

96 points Bettane & Desseauve Guide (2024).

95 points La Revue du Vin de France: "With Clos des Epeneaux, we're back to a fine balance between ripe fruit, ageing and a structure that doesn't dominate the overall harmony. A wine with a beautiful sap. (2024)"

92-94 points Neal Martin (Vinous): "The 2020 Pommard Clos des Epeneaux 1er Cru was a blend of two instead of four cuvées this year due to the depleted production. It has a precocious bouquet with black cherries, raspberry, menthol and blood orange scents that gather momentum in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with fine grain tannins, taut and fresh, lightly spiced with hints of allspice and tangy quince. It displays fine composure towards the finish with impressive length. This is a superb Clos des Epeneaux, though will it surpass the 2019? I’m not sure. Drink: 2026-2050. (Dec 2021)"

91-94 points/'Sweet spot/Outstanding,' Allen Meadows (Burghound): "(the 5+ ha Clos is composed of approximately 80% Petits Epenots and 20% Grands Epenots; the vine ages run from 18 to 80+ years of age; 35% new wood with yields of <22 hl/ha). Discreet but not invisible wood influence can be found on the ripe aromas of various dark berries, prominent earth and violet scents. Somewhat surprisingly in the context of the reported yields, the mid-palate is not especially dense though I very much like the beguiling texture that is at once caressing yet powerful before culminating in a precise, serious and equally austere if notably longer finale. This is an opulent and refined Clos des Epeneaux. Drink: 2030+. (Apr 2022)"

90-94 points Jasper Morris, MW (Inside Burgundy): "I tasted first the cuvée from young vines, which did get rather overtaken by the summer conditions, and then the old vines which showed as a brighter wine, in sharper definition. What matters, of course, is the blend. This shows as having a deep dense purple colour, while the bouquet is almost stunned into submission by the power of the wine. There is a huge wealth of dark fruit, as black as it is red. Supercharged on the palate but finishes with a little crunch as good acidity plays alongside the tannins. The Clos des Epeneaux 2020 is still an atypically massive wine but this could well emerge as a quality player with time. 14.5%. (Nov 2021)"