The 2021 Armand Heitz Pommard 1er Cru Clos des Poutures is an elegant Premier Cru Pinot Noir from Pommard in Burgundy's Côte de Beaune, produced from a tiny 0.66-hectare monopole entirely controlled by Domaine Armand Heitz. The Pinot Noir vines were planted between 1964 and 1999 on clay and silt soils toward the lower part of the slope, where the deeper soils give the wine generosity while maintaining excellent drainage. Clos des Poutures is particularly interesting because its personality challenges the traditional image of Pommard as dark, muscular and heavily structured: this small enclosed vineyard consistently produces a lighter-coloured, more perfumed and refined expression of the appellation, with finesse taking precedence over sheer power.
The 2021 was made from 100% Pinot Noir with 50% whole bunches, followed by 14 months of ageing in French oak, approximately 20–40% new. The cooler 2021 Burgundy vintage suits the character of Clos des Poutures particularly well, giving the wine freshness and aromatic clarity rather than excessive ripeness. Expect red cherry, wild strawberry and raspberry alongside violet, rose petal, dried herbs, subtle spice and earthy notes. The palate is medium-bodied and finely structured, with fresh acidity, delicate fruit and polished tannins leading into a savoury, mineral finish. Allen Meadows of Burghound awarded 90 Points, while the wine's restrained structure and freshness suggest excellent medium-term development.
