2018 Pierre Girardin Pommard Premier Cru Les Grands Epenots

Pierre Vincent Girardin is making big waves in Burgundy with the hype surrounding him already at fever pitch. All this and Pierre is still only in his early 20's with just a handful of vintages under his belt. Part of the excitement stems from the vineyard sources at his disposal, but also from the distinct style exhibited so clearly in these initial vintages of his wines. Of course it helps that his father is Vincent Girardin, and following the sale of his namesake Domaine in 2011 bequeathed Pierre 4.5 hectares of prime vineyards, and helped set up a brand new winery where evidently no expense has been spared on the latest presses, fermentation tanks and larger-format barrels from Tonnellerie François Frères.

Stylistically Pierre has taken a different approach than that of his father's wines, preferring a lighter touch than the rich and oaky style of years gone by. The white wines are finer-boned and more reductive, and his are reds delicate and fruit-driven, with a minimum of extraction and plenty of stem retention.

Along with Rugiens, Les Grands Epenots is considered the best Premier Cru in Pommard and the soil here is slightly richer than Petits Epenots, with high levels of iron. Average vine age in these plots is over 50 years old, and the wine is fermented with 100% whole cluster before aging in barrel (30% new) for 12 months plus four months in stainless steel.