Agnes Paquet 'Les Combes' Pommard Rouge 2023
The Wine
89-92 Pts Jasper Morris MW 'No whole bunches. More ruby than crimson in colour. A high-class nose, a slightly savoury style of Pommard but still with ripe raspberries alongside, and an additional burst of fruit right at the finish. Riper in style than the other reds chez Agnès, but still not excessive. Still balanced and enjoyably persistent, with fine tannins. Drink from 2028-2034. Tasted Oct 2024.
The Details
Variety - Pinot Noir
Country - France
Region - Burgundy
Sub Region - Pommard
Vintage - 2023
Extra - Cork
Volume - 750ml
About the Wine Maker
Domaine Agnes Paquet is recognized locally as a leading innovator of the current generation. The estate boasts vineyards in Cotes de Beaune and Hautes Cotes de Beaune across appellations such as Bourgogne Aligoté, Bourgogne Chardonnay, Bourgogne Pinot Noir, Hautes Cotes de Beaune white and red, Auxey-Duresses (currently 5 ha or 40% of the domain), Pommard, Chassagne-Montrachet, and Saint Aubin. Agnes Paquet is keenly aware of terroir nuances and maintains a traditional approach in her vineyards. Since 2004, chemical herbicides have been eliminated, with treatments now using copper and sulphur.
While not certified organic or biodynamic, she follows these practices closely. Vineyard labor is essential, especially when the vines are most active from May to July, during which the workforce expands to 12.The harvest is also done by hand, with sorting done both in the field and at the winery. Fermentations are initiated solely by natural yeasts, with minimal SO2 usage, and chaptalization is seldom necessary. White wines undergo both fermentations in barrels and mature for 11-18 months, depending on the year. Red wine fermentation occurs in concrete tanks over 15-20 days, partially using whole bunches. The wines are then aged in barrels (15-30% new) for 10-12 months, varying with the vintage.
