Wines Pommard Bouchard Père & Fils - 2017

This 2017 Pommard Premier Cru from Bouchard Père & Fils is an elegant expression of Pinot Noir, which is the exclusive grape variety for red wines in Burgundy. Hailing from prestigious Premier Cru sites within the commune of Pommard, the wine benefits from old vines carefully cultivated on well-exposed slopes. 2017 was a classic Burgundian vintage, with favourable weather that allowed for excellent ripening and resulted in wines noted for their finesse and freshness. The vinification here emphasises gentle extraction to preserve the purity of the fruit and the subtlety of the terroir, followed by maturation in French oak barrels, which adds a layer of complexity without overwhelming the balance.

Pommard is situated in the heart of the Côte de Beaune, a region celebrated for its remarkable diversity of soils and microclimates. The clay-limestone soils, interspersed with iron-rich marl, are particularly conducive to producing structured and robust Pinot Noirs, and Pommard is renowned for its more powerful, yet still graceful, reds. The area's long viticultural history dates back to Roman times, and it is noted for wines that show both a muscular tannic backbone and refined aromatics of black cherry, violet, forest floor and subtle spicy notes.

Given its depth and finesse, this Pommard Premier Cru will pair beautifully with classic Burgundian cuisine. Consider serving it alongside dishes such as coq au vin, beef bourguignon, or a simple roast duck. It also matches well with game birds, wild mushrooms and earthy root vegetables. For a more local touch, Époisses cheese or a chicken with a truffle cream sauce would be delightful accompaniments.

For optimal enjoyment, serve this wine at a temperature of 16-17°C. Decanting for about an hour before serving will help open up the bouquet and allow the subtle tertiary aromas to emerge. This wine can certainly be enjoyed now, especially after a short decant, but it also has the potential to develop more complexity with a few additional years of cellaring.