Domaine François Gaunoux - Pommard 1er cru - Les Rugiens - Red - 2021

Wine:

Originating from two plots, one in the middle of Rugiens and the other at the top, bordering the village of Volnay, the 2021 Pommard 1er Cru Les Rugiens red exhibits a deeper profile than the Epenots, displaying an aromatic arch indicating high maturity reminiscent of sugared strawberries and roses. This Rugiens presents a robust structure on the palate, full and harmoniously tannic. It will evolve patiently over two or even three decades if you keep a few bottles aside. It scores a 95/100. It's worth noting that from the same Pommard 1er cru Rugiens terroir, the 1964 vintage tasted by the Parker guide last year, was rated 94/100, a clear indicator of its exceptional potential and unparalleled quality level.

Vinification:

Hand-harvested.

Color:

Bright ruby red with carmine highlights.

Nose:

Delicate, infused Pinot with hints of strawberries and roses.

Palate:

This cuvée presents a full and structured palate, with remarkable clarity and balance. Its refined depth and harmonious finish make it an outstanding expression of quality.

Temperature:

Serve between 14 and 16°C.

Food and wine pairing:

Duck tournedos with grapes, Maine farm-raised prime rib with coarse salt, roast wild boar back.

Cellar aging:

From now until 2050, and even longer for enthusiasts.

Claudine Gaunoux, owner of the eponymous François Gaunoux estate, is a winemaker who’s truly hands-on in the vineyard, as she proudly puts it.

Tucked away from the guidebooks, this Burgundian estate remains a well-kept secret, yet its wines shine on France’s top tables—think Yannick Alléno, Cheval Blanc, or Guy Savoy, recently crowned Best Restaurant in the World once again. Claudine and her husband Jean-Pierre oversee twelve hectares across Beaune, Meursault, Volnay, and Pommard, including prized monopoles like Meursault’s Clos de Tavaux and Clos des Meix Chavaux, and the famous premier cru La Goutte d’Or.

The estate has a clear philosophy: showcase these celebrated Côte-d’Or terroirs without any oak masking their character—a rarity in Burgundy. This purity is what first drew us in, and our World’s Best Sommelier Olivier Poussier was equally blown away when tasting a 2009 blind: astonishing freshness and clarity, with no oak influence. Over time, these wines evolve naturally, revealing their depth without tannins imposed by barrels, offering a rare lesson in masterful élevage.