Comte Armand Auxey-Duresses Rouge 2020

Owned by the family of the Comte Armand since 1825, Clos des Epeneaux is among Pommard’s most revered vineyards. Post-phylloxera, it wasn’t replanted until 1930. Further vineyards were acquired in ’94: Auxey-Duresses, Auxey-Duresses Premier Cru, Volnay, and Volnay’s Frémiets.

The modern era effectively began with Pascal Marchand, who was succeeded as a winemaker by Benjamin Leroux. When Ben left in 2014 to focus on his own business, Paul Zinetti took the reins.

On this sloped south-facing parcel that has particular geology for this section of the vineyard, the vines are 40 years old on average. It is one of the most calcareous areas of the Côte de Beaune (30% active limestone). Rich with a small fruit, the wines can generally be drunk quite young and yet can age easily for up to 10 years.