Comte Armand Pommard 1er cru Clos des Epeneaux 2021

96 points La Revue du Vin de France: "Reference-point domaine in Pommard. Its famous Clos des Epeneaux is one of the flagship wines of the appellation. It produces wines for aging with a still more moderate use of SO2. Its 2021s are not to be missed. Behind voluminous, juicy and intense fruit, [the 2021 Clos des Epeneaux] has a solid tannic base with the freshness of the vintage which gives it a beautiful energy. (Issue #668; Mar 2023)"

94 points Christy Canterbury, MW (TimAtkin.com): "Starting with a sultry cassis and blackberry nose, this is moderately plump and grippy on the palate. Smoky oak, cracked pepper spice and freshly turned earth hover in the glass. Give this one some time. (2023)"

92-94 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 and the wine is raised in <30% new wood).Here the wood treatment is all but invisible with its super-fresh nose of cool and airy red cherry, earth and hint of the sauvage. The racy, intense and beautifully delineated middleweight flavors are not especially dense yet still manage to deliver focused power on the superbly long, balanced and youthfully austere finale. The 2021 Clos is a deceptive wine in that the mid-palate seems entirely supple and accessible yet the firm finish makes clear that it's going to need a decade plus to realize its full potential. Good stuff. Drink: 2033+. (Apr 2023)"

91-93 points Neal Martin (Vinous): "The 2021 Pommard Clos des Epeneaux 1er Cru, the crown jewel of the Domaine, has an intense nose with black cherries, raspberry coulis, white pepper and bay leaf. Lovely definition with a subtle briny note that emerges with time. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy red fruit, a firm grip and moderate weight, though it is missing some amplitude towards the finish due to the severely reduced volume. Yet it has plenty of freshness and length, so afford it five to six years in the cellar. Drink: 2025-2045. (Jan 2023)"

91-93 points Jasper Morris, MW (Inside Burgundy): "We tasted the younger vines and the older vines separately, then the blend. The younger vines had a fine fresh medium deep raspberry fruit, with quite firm acidity, a limestone feel to the tannins, and a lightly ferrous touch. The old vines offered much more fruit on the nose, strawberry and raspberry, the tannins a little firmer but with much more fruit around them. As ever the blend seemed to give more of everything. A bright purple colour, and a weight of fruit on the nose with a depth of darker berry fruit. The balance between the fruit and the structure is just right, medium plus length. The tannin acid balance works well too. The 2021 Clos des Epeneaux will not be a monster but will have refinement. Drink: 2028-2035. (Nov 2022)"

92 points Charles Curtis, MW (Decanter): "Comte Armand’s Clos des Epeneaux is a blend of Grands Epenots and Petits Epenots; the blend shows deep colour, pleasantly ripe plum aromas with notes of earth, smoke, and pepper. The flavours are supported by supple tannins and fresh acidity. This gives the wine structure enough, but the overall texture is silky, fine, and not as massive as it can be in some years. This wine should open up soon and be drink well for the next ten years. Drinking Window: 2025-2035. (Nov 2022)"

Bill Nanson (Burgundy Report): "(15 hl/ha, just a single assemblage of the grapes. ‘I’m still following the wines its not yet decided if it will be a normal or a slightly earlier bottling.’) A big, broad nose, airy and fresh. Open, fluid, mouth-water. Great shape and complexity – a wine of panache – great finishing. I think a great Clos this year. (1/3/23)"