Domaine de Montille
2011Pommard “Les Rugiens-Bas” 1er ♥1er Cru Red barrel
Score: 92-94
Tasted: Apr 15, 2013
Drink: 2023+
Issue: 50
Sweet spot Outstanding
Note: 66% stems
Producer note: Etienne de Montille describes the 2011 vintage as “completely surprising with totally unexpected quality. We had such chaotic weather with huge swings from hot, dry and sunny to cool, wet and cloudy that it was difficult to imagine what might transpire. It was one of the particularities of the vintage that once we had the proper phenolic maturities in the last week of August I waited a few days to see what might happen with the sugar levels but they just didn’t budge. As such I reasoned that all that would probably happen if I waited would be to have lower acidity levels. We picked from the 28th of August to the 10th of September under near perfect conditions. The maturity of the pinot really varied as I started with it, then went to white and then came back to the pinot in those areas that are slower to mature. We obtained very good phenolic maturities though the potential alcohols were on the low to average side at between 11.8 to 12.7%. The fruit was really pretty clean though there were a few sectors where the pinot required some sorting. I did my usual vinification though I shortened slightly the total cuvaison. I used a relatively high percentage of whole clusters though this again varied considerably by terroir. As to the wines, they are fresh and energetic and should be relatively easy to drink young.” My take on the de Montille 2011s is that they transcend the general quality of vintage, particularly in the Côte de Beaune. (Beaune Imports, www.beauneimports.com, Berkeley, CA, Martin Scott Wines, www.martinscottwines.com, Lake Success, NY and Veritas Imports, www.veritaswine.com, NV/AZ/NM; Berry Brothers & Rudd, www.bbr.com, O.W. Loeb, www.owloeb.com, Bibendum Wine Ltd., www.bibendum-wine.co.uk, Howard Ripley, www.howardripley.com, The Wine Society, www.thewinesociety.com, Private Cellar Ltd., www.privatecellar.co.uk, and Haynes, Hanson & Clark, www.hhandc.co.uk, all UK).
Tasting note: This is also quite restrained with ultra-pure aromas of wet stone, floral hints, sandalwood and very fresh red berry fruit scents. There is a focused power to the robust yet refined medium-bodied flavors that possess plenty of supporting sap that helps to buffer the otherwise firm and well-integrated tannic spine on the explosively long, balanced and moderately austere finish. This beauty will also require ample patience.
Domaine de Montille, Pommard Premier Cru, Les Rugiens Bas
US$1,600 / 每箱價格
Domaine de Montille
2011Pommard “Les Rugiens-Bas” 1er ♥1er Cru Red barrel
Score: 92-94
Tasted: Apr 15, 2013
Drink: 2023+
Issue: 50
Sweet spot Outstanding
Note: 66% stems
Producer note: Etienne de Montille describes the 2011 vintage as “completely surprising with totally unexpected quality. We had such chaotic weather with huge swings from hot, dry and sunny to cool, wet and cloudy that it was difficult to imagine what might transpire. It was one of the particularities of the vintage that once we had the proper phenolic maturities in the last week of August I waited a few days to see what might happen with the sugar levels but they just didn’t budge. As such I reasoned that all that would probably happen if I waited would be to have lower acidity levels. We picked from the 28th of August to the 10th of September under near perfect conditions. The maturity of the pinot really varied as I started with it, then went to white and then came back to the pinot in those areas that are slower to mature. We obtained very good phenolic maturities though the potential alcohols were on the low to average side at between 11.8 to 12.7%. The fruit was really pretty clean though there were a few sectors where the pinot required some sorting. I did my usual vinification though I shortened slightly the total cuvaison. I used a relatively high percentage of whole clusters though this again varied considerably by terroir. As to the wines, they are fresh and energetic and should be relatively easy to drink young.” My take on the de Montille 2011s is that they transcend the general quality of vintage, particularly in the Côte de Beaune. (Beaune Imports, www.beauneimports.com, Berkeley, CA, Martin Scott Wines, www.martinscottwines.com, Lake Success, NY and Veritas Imports, www.veritaswine.com, NV/AZ/NM; Berry Brothers & Rudd, www.bbr.com, O.W. Loeb, www.owloeb.com, Bibendum Wine Ltd., www.bibendum-wine.co.uk, Howard Ripley, www.howardripley.com, The Wine Society, www.thewinesociety.com, Private Cellar Ltd., www.privatecellar.co.uk, and Haynes, Hanson & Clark, www.hhandc.co.uk, all UK).
Tasting note: This is also quite restrained with ultra-pure aromas of wet stone, floral hints, sandalwood and very fresh red berry fruit scents. There is a focused power to the robust yet refined medium-bodied flavors that possess plenty of supporting sap that helps to buffer the otherwise firm and well-integrated tannic spine on the explosively long, balanced and moderately austere finish. This beauty will also require ample patience.
