De Montille Pommard 1er cru Les Rugiens-bas 2021

96 points La Revue du Vin de France: "Both wild and refined, Pommard Les Rugiens 2021 smells of brambles and has a pronounced vegetal feel. An earthy, juicy wine, but still inward-looking. It will need long cellaring to reveal its full potential. (2024)"

95 points Christy Canterbury, MW (TimAtkin.com): "Exuberantly perfumed with black plum skin, underbrush and pepper spice, this saw two-thirds whole cluster. Black plum preserves, dried mulberries and licorice fill the palate. There is good body accompanying the solid fruit intensity, all wrapped up with chewy, structuring tannins. (2023)"

92-94 points Neal Martin (Vinous): "The 2021 Pommard Les Rugiens-Bas 1er Cru has a slightly chalky nose, a mélange of red and black fruit and touches of undergrowth and autumn leaves. The palate is medium-bodied with fine grain tannins, crisp and focused, quite elegant towards the finish with a long aftertaste. I can see this evolving over the long term. Drink: 2025-2040. (Jan 2023)"

91-94 points/'Sweet spot/Outstanding,' Allen Meadows (Burghound): "(from a 1.02 ha holding; 50% whole clusters). This is also presently moderately reduced and revealing little. On the plus side, there is excellent intensity to the sleek, chiseled and delicious medium weight flavors that terminate in a lingering finish that is much like the Taillepieds, e.g. overtly mineral-driven, austere and compact. This should be excellent in time but it's not likely to make for especially interesting early drinking. Drink: 2033+. (Apr 2023)"

93 points Charles Curtis, MW (Decanter): "The Rugiens-Bas has always been among the flagships of the de Montille estate since the time of Hubert. The 2021 vintage has delivered a wine in the classic Pommard style, somewhat restrained at first but opening with time to reveal a massive earthy, smoky fruit character. The texture is formidable, with firm tannins, fresh acidity, and abundant extract. The grapes come from the domaine-owned hectare parcel planted with old vines. In 2021, two-thirds of the grapes were fermented as whole clusters before ageing in cask (one-third new). Drinking Window: 2027-2050. (Nov 2022)"

90-93 points Jasper Morris MW (Inside Burgundy): "Rich crimson. A little bit of reduction but undoubtedly a powerful depth of quality fruit, on the darker side. Spicy as well as full of fruit, quite prominent acidity, the drier aspect from the 50% whole bunch. The fruit remains exceptionally youthful and will grow to cover the structure. Drink from 2027-2033. (Oct 2022)"