The 15 Best Pommard: Discover the Wines of Burgundy

Pommard: a guide to the finest wines from the heart of Burgundy

Key takeaways: 

• Pommard is a flagship appellation of the Côte de Beaune, dedicated exclusively to Pinot Noir, renowned for its full-bodied, structured and elegant red wines.
• Top 15 Pommard wines: Les Rugiens Bas, Les Epenots, Clos des Epeneaux, La Chanière, Les Pézerolles, Clos de la Commaraine, Les Grands Epenots, Les Fremiers, Les Arvelets, Noizons, Les Charmots, Les Bertins, En Largillière, Vaumuriens, Derrière Saint-Jean.
• The distinction between Pommard Village and Pommard Premier Cru affects concentration, aromatic complexity and aging potential:
  • Village: accessible, fruity, 4 to 8 years of aging.
  • Premier Cru: powerful, structured, 8 to 20 years of aging.
• The recently recommended vintages for the grands crus are 2010, 2015, 2019 and 2020.
• Prices vary according to classification and age and are most often within the following ranges: Village €40–70, Premier Cru €80–220, rare crus or old vintages €250 and above.

Discovering the best Pommard wines means diving into one of the most iconic red appellations of Burgundy viticulture. From elegant premiers crus to collector's age-worthy bottles, each flask tells a unique story. The discerning enthusiast seeks the balance between complexity, reliable provenance and exceptional vintages. Tasting a Pommard always awakens the desire to explore renowned estates, in search of the bottle whose deep color, subtle nose or structured palate will leave a lasting impression in the memory.

Pommard appellation: a unique terroir in service of Pinot Noir

The Pommard appellation covers approximately 320 hectares between Beaune and Volnay, dedicated exclusively to Pinot Noir. Here, the clay-limestone soil and the diversity of the plots shape full-bodied red wines with a dense structure. On the lower slopes, the fruit expresses itself fully; on the higher hillsides, tannic power and depth dominate, offering great variety in the wine selection.

This renowned territory of the Côte de Beaune has built its reputation around distinctive and characteristic crus. During a vertical tasting, one often finds the aromatic consistency of great vintages: black cherry, licorice, soft spices, musky notes evoking undergrowth or truffle over time. This is why a selection of Pommard wines remains essential for any lover of red Burgundy wines.

What are the criteria for a great Pommard fine wine?

Recognizing a great Pommard fine wine is based on the homogeneity of the sensory palette. Its deep ruby color signals the tension of the substance, revealed from the first nose: ripe black fruits, delicate floral notes. On the palate, power is accompanied by firm tannins that meld with age. The finish is long, gradually unveiling richness and finesse over time.

To include a Pommard in the top 15, one also examines the oak balance: the barrel aging must preserve the subtlety of the Pinot Noir. A true wine guide highlights the precision of aromas, the length on the palate and the aging capacity. Certain crus stand out in great years such as 2010, 2015 or 2019, reinforcing their place among the best Pommard wines.

The iconic estates of Pommard

• Domaine Comte Armand: Owner of the mythical Clos des Épenots (monopole and the most celebrated Premier Cru in Pommard alongside Les Rugiens). It is one of the most prestigious and sought-after names in Pommard.
• Château de Pommard: The most prominent estate and the largest single-owner clos in Burgundy (Clos Marey-Monge, ~20 ha). Very well known to the general public, long certified organic/biodynamic, it often symbolizes the appellation on its own.
• Domaine de Courcel: A historic Pommard family, producing very classic, deep wines with exceptional aging potential, particularly from the finest climats (Rugiens, Épenots, etc.).
• Domaine de Montille: A reference estate in the Côte de Beaune, with excellent plots in Pommard: Les Rugiens-Bas (powerful and mineral), Les Pezerolles, Les Grands Épenots and the village wine Les Cras. An elegant, precise style, often with 100% whole clusters, producing wines that combine structure and finesse.

Top 15 best Pommard wines: our expert selection

Here is our TOP 15 to explore the full diversity and excellence of the Pommard appellation in the context of Burgundy viticulture:

• Pommard Premier Cru « Les Rugiens Bas »: mineral intensity and chiseled tannins.
• Pommard Premier Cru « Les Epenots »: remarkable balance, great aromatic complexity.
• Pommard Premier Cru « Clos des Epeneaux »: indulgence, impressive length.
• Pommard Village « La Chanière »: accessibility, immediate charm.
• Pommard Premier Cru « Les Pézerolles »: peppery notes, superb freshness.
• Pommard Premier Cru « Clos de la Commaraine »: suppleness, fruit maturity.
• Pommard Premier Cru « Les Grands Epenots »: impeccable structure, highly sought-after.
• Pommard Premier Cru « Les Fremiers »: finesse, intense garnet reflections.
• Pommard Premier Cru « Les Arvelets »: broad palate, marked depth.
• Pommard Village « Noizons »: vivacity, interesting aging potential.
• Pommard Premier Cru « Les Charmots »: controlled power.
• Pommard Premier Cru « Les Bertins »: classic Burgundian balance.
• Pommard Premier Cru « En Largillière »: distinctive floral bouquet.
• Pommard Village « Vaumuriens »: tonic, ideal for discovering the appellation.
• Pommard Premier Cru « Derrière Saint-Jean »: originality, complexity, generous finish.

Tasting these cuvées in a real setting reveals their differences in expression. At the table, a Pommard Premier Cru magnificently accompanies a slow-cooked dish or refined game. This type of pairing enhances both the character of the wine and that of the cuisine, illustrating the art of tasting great Burgundy wines.

Focus on the storage and pricing of Pommard wines

Storing a Pommard in the best conditions is essential to reveal its full potential. A constant temperature (12 to 14°C), complete darkness and controlled humidity are recommended. Patience rewards the enthusiast: after a few years, you will discover tertiary aromas, a silky palate and a persistent finish, as with this Pommard « Clos des Epeneaux » 1999 tasted ten years after being placed in the cellar, remaining surprisingly young thanks to exemplary storage.

Certain Pommard wines represent a sound investment. Well-designed cellars protect against climatic variations. Check the corks regularly and favor individual bottle slots to isolate your finest bottles, thereby guaranteeing the integrity of your wine selection.

What are the prices of the great Pommard wines?

The price of Pommard wines depends on the vintage, the classification (premier cru or village) and the reputation of the estate. For a "village," expect between €40 and €70. A Pommard Premier Cru of fine origin frequently exceeds €100, or even €200. Rare cuvées or old vintages ranked among the best Pommard wines sometimes reach exceptional heights.

Here is a comparative overview:

For a successful tasting or to enrich your cellar, choose a recognized supplier guaranteeing traceability and optimal storage. This requirement ensures quality, whether you wish to open the bottle soon or wait a few more years.

Frequently asked questions about Pommard wines

What are the differences between a Pommard village and a Pommard premier cru?

A Pommard village comes from plots classified as "communal appellation," accessible, fruity, ideal to drink young. Pommard premier cru comes from terroirs recognized for their superior quality, producing more structured wines suited to long aging. This criterion makes all the difference in a wine guide.

• Pommard village: suppleness, immediate pleasure, best value for money.
• Pommard premier cru: complexity, power, increased longevity.

What food pairings work with a Pommard wine?

A Pommard naturally accompanies grilled or braised red meat, slow-cooked dishes such as beef Burgundy or coq au vin, as well as feathered game. Some enthusiasts also appreciate the pairing with a mushroom risotto. This versatility makes it an asset at a meal centered around a great red fine wine from Burgundy.

• Game in civet style
• Beef Burgundy style
• Roast turkey and root vegetables

How to recognize a great Pommard vintage?

Among the reference vintages, the years 2010, 2015, 2019 and 2020 stand out in specialized wine guides.

• Look for a deep ruby color, a sign of concentration.
• Assess the aromatic complexity.
• Appreciate the length of the finish on the retro-olfaction.

Why does Pommard so often feature in selections of age-worthy wines?

Pommard possesses a tannic structure and aromatic depth that give it an outstanding capacity for aging. Its dense substance evolves over time, releasing secondary aromas such as leather, truffle or humus. It thus becomes a preferred choice for enriching a cellar dedicated to red Burgundy wines.

• Balanced substance and acidity
• Bouquet that evolves over time
• Patrimonial value for collectors