Domaine de Courcel, Pommard Premier Cru, Les Grands Epenots 2009

(bottled in October of 2011; 14+% alcohol): Deep red-ruby. Aromas of cassis, black cherry, violet, menthol and chocolate call to mind a top wine from Saint-Emilion; just a hint of jamminess. Thick, pure creamy cassis in the mouth; really shockingly fresh and primary, but then I tasted this barely a month after it was bottled. At once dense and juicy on the long, chocolatey finish. I may be underrating this today. Confuron told me that the pHs in his 2009s are in the high 3.8 to 3.9 range, but maintained that one can modify the impression of acidity with fresh aromas and tannins.

• Reviewer Name: Stephen Tanzer
• Review Date: March 2012