Domaine Nicolas Rossignol : Pommard 1er cru "Argilières" 2018

Tasting characteristics and advice for the Pommard 1er cru "Argilières" 2018 from Domaine Nicolas Rossignol

Tasting

Appearance
The wine displays a deep red hue with purple highlights.

Nose
The bouquet reveals intense aromas of dark fruit, notably black cherry, blackberry and plum, accompanied by a pronounced minerality reminiscent of iron. Spicy notes of white pepper add complexity to the whole.

Palate
The attack is broad and generous, revealing a dense, juicy core of fruit. The tannins, polished and supple, structure the wine elegantly without ever dominating. The well-integrated acidity brings freshness and maintains balance. The finish, long and refined, lingers with mineral and spicy impressions.

Food and wine pairings

This Pommard 1er cru "Argilières" 2018 pairs ideally with red meats prepared as steaks, roasted or braised in sauce. It also matches perfectly with game such as venison or pheasant, particularly when these meats are served with game jus reductions or dark sauces. Mushroom-based dishes also make an excellent pairing, as do aged soft cheeses with washed rinds.

Serving and cellaring

It is recommended to serve this Pommard 1er cru "Argilières" 2018 at a temperature between 14 and 16°C. Decanting for 30 minutes to one hour before serving allows the wine to fully express its aromatic complexity.

A Pommard Premier Cru combining power and refinement from Domaine Nicolas Rossignol

The estate

Established in 1997 by Nicolas Rossignol, a fifth-generation winegrower, Domaine Nicolas Rossignol now extends over approximately 17 hectares spread across nearly 30 different Côte de Beaune appellations, notably in Volnay, Pommard, Beaune, Aloxe-Corton and Pernand-Vergelesses. In 2011, the estate merged with Domaine Rossignol-Jeanniard, consolidating the entire production under a single brand. Nicolas Rossignol manages his vineyard according to biodynamic principles, without official certification, favoring environmentally respectful practices and low-intervention winemaking. The estate set up in Beaune to benefit from facilities suited to its development.

The vineyard

The Climat "Argilières" takes its name from the high clay content that characterizes its soils. Located mid-slope on the hillside of Pommard, just above the famous Pommard Epenots and facing east toward Beaune, this premier cru enjoys a particularly favorable exposure. The significant presence of iron oxide in the clay, which gives the earth a reddish color, contributes to the mineral character of the wines from this terroir. The estate’s two plots within this appellation are planted with vines around 30 and 40 years old, whose deep root systems bring concentration and complexity to the wine.

The vintage

The 2018 vintage in Bourgogne was marked by warm, dry conditions, punctuated by occasional violent thunderstorms. These weather conditions led to a significant reduction in production volumes, but made it possible to obtain top-quality grapes. The berries, small in size, showed concentrated flavors and substantial tannin development. The mild September weather helped refine ripeness levels ahead of harvest carried out in sunny conditions. This year produced very high-quality red wines, combining concentration and structure while preserving the freshness characteristic of classic Bourgogne.

Winemaking and aging

After hand-harvesting into small eight-kilogram crates, the grapes for Pommard 1er cru "Argilières" 2018 are meticulously sorted on a vibrating table and then by hand. Alcoholic fermentation is carried out with indigenous yeasts, with daily monitoring of temperature and sugar levels, for six to eight days. Punch-downs and pump-overs are adjusted based on daily technical tastings to gently extract aromatic and tannic compounds. After separating the free-run wine and the press wine, aging takes place on fine lees for 10 to 20 months in oak barrels, with a proportion of new oak adapted to the vintage. Malolactic fermentation is deliberately delayed by around six months to preserve aromatic freshness. The wine is bottled without fining or filtration.

Grape variety

100% Pinot Noir