Domaine Comte Armand in Pommard has been under the ownership of the same family in an unbroken line since before the French revolution, an extreme rarity in Burgundy. Until 1994 the domaine owned only one vineyard, their famous 13-acre Monopole Clos des Epeneaux – an outstanding 1er Cru in Pommard. The current Comte Armand – Vicomte Gabriel Armand, is a Parisian lawyer who has continued the family tradition of relying on resident-managers, or regisseurs, to conduct all of the domaine’s affairs.
In 1999 they handed the keys to 23 year-old Benjamin Leroux, a promising local winemaking prodigy who has risen to earn a reputation among the world’s best. Ben completed the transition to Biodynamic farming for the estate.
95 Points Wine Advocate
The 2010 Pommard Clos des Epeneaux could be Leroux’s finest so far. It has a convincing, elegant bouquet that at this early juncture bears semblances to the 2008, but ramps up the intensity without compensating on delineation, with subtle notes of spice and balsam coming through. The palate is medium-bodied with a sweet, candied entry. This is very pure, soft and caressing in the mouth but around the sides you can feel the tannins gently exerting their grip. There is not a hair out of place on this glorious, shimmering Clos des Epeneaux. Magnifique!
95 Points Jasper Morris
This was my first bottle from the case, but it is a wine I have enjoyed elsewhere twice recently, and this bottle was right up to scratch. It is only 10 years old which is not much for a great Pommard but it is beautifully accessible and delivers so much already. The colour is not especially deep for Pommard but it fills the glass pleasingly. From the first sniff you know that this has been beautifully made. I do think that it was the best wine that Benjamin Leroux made here during his 14 year tenure at Domaine du Comte Armand. It seems effortless while offering so many layers of predominantly red fruits with the occasional darker note. It has the structure you would hope for but the tannins are muscles hidden below the skin. We were very sad to finish the bottle.