Domaine Nicolas Rossignol : Pommard 1er cru "Argilières" 2020

Tasting notes and advice for the Pommard 1er cru "Argilières" 2020 from Domaine Nicolas Rossignol

Tasting

Color

The color reveals a deep red hue with ruby and dark purple highlights, with subtle mauve nuances.

Nose

The nose opens on a complex, refined bouquet, unveiling aromas of dark fruits such as blackberry and blueberry, alongside notes of violet and delicate spices. Cherry pit and ripe plum add breadth to the aromatic palette, while hints of fine forest floor and a discreet oaky nuance bring depth and complexity.

Palate

On the palate, the wine unfolds a tannic structure that is present yet delicate, with no aggressiveness. The texture is round and opulent, with generous breadth. Fruity flavors lead the attack, then gradually give way to a subtle minerality derived from the clay-limestone terroir. The finish lingers at length, showing remarkable aromatic persistence and assertive tannins that nonetheless preserve a signature elegance.

Food and wine pairings

This Pommard 1er cru "Argilières" 2020 pairs beautifully with feathered and furred game, especially wild duck, pheasant, venison, or wild boar, prepared braised or roasted. It also happily accompanies red meats and classic Burgundian dishes such as boeuf bourguignon or coq au vin. Washed-rind cheeses with pronounced flavors, such as Époisses or Langres, also make a harmonious match.

Serving and cellaring

The Pommard 1er cru "Argilières" 2020 is ideally enjoyed at a temperature between 14 and 16°C. Prior aeration in a decanter for 45 minutes to 2 hours is recommended to allow the wine to fully express its aromatic complexity. This wine offers excellent aging potential and can be cellared for around 15 to 20 years under optimal conditions.

An outstanding Pommard Premier Cru from a prestigious Burgundian terroir and a remarkable vintage

The estate

Created in 1997 by Nicolas Rossignol, a fifth-generation winemaker based in Volnay, the Domaine Nicolas Rossignol now spans around 17 to 20 hectares across the prestigious villages of Volnay, Pommard, Beaune, Aloxe-Corton and Pernand-Vergelesses in Burgundy. Following a merger with Domaine Rossignol-Jeanniard in 2011, Nicolas Rossignol has overseen the entire estate from new facilities in Beaune. Recognized as one of the leading figures of the new generation of Burgundian winemakers, in 2002 he profoundly reshaped his winemaking philosophy, moving from extraction to infusion to favor a more subtle, elegant expression of terroir. The estate practices biodynamic-inspired viticulture, without official certification, and produces wines unanimously praised by the French critics.

The vineyard

The Pommard 1er cru "Argilières" comes from the climat des Argilières, one of the most renowned lieux-dits within the Pommard Premiers Crus appellation. Located at the heart of the appellation area, this terroir stands out for its clay-limestone soil, a geological combination that gives Pinot Noir remarkable aromatic intensity and a singular tannic structure. The climat benefits from a predominantly south and east exposure, with elevations ranging from 250 to 330 meters, encouraging a gradual, harmonious ripening of the grapes. The geology reveals complex stratification: ancient alluvium at the bottom of the slope, well-drained clay-limestone soils mid-slope thanks to stony rocky debris, and Oxfordian marls at higher altitude. This exceptional mineral richness is directly reflected in the aromatic profiles of the wines produced.

The vintage

The 2020 vintage is one of the most exceptional of the decade in Burgundy. The year began with the mildest winter since the start of the 20th century, encouraging early budbreak around March 20. Flowering took place under excellent conditions, ensuring even fruit set. Summer was marked by exceptional, sustained heat, with an intense heatwave between August 6 and 13. Despite the heat, rainfall remained exceptionally scarce, particularly in July, as the Côte-d'Or suffered a water deficit of 62% compared with normal levels. Average temperatures from January to September were 1.8°C above the norm. Harvest began just after August 15 in excellent weather conditions, enabling meticulous selection of grapes that reached remarkable ripeness while preserving outstanding acid balance. The 2020 vintage ranks among the very great Burgundian vintages, with red wines displaying powerful structure, remarkable concentration, and aromatic profiles of rare complexity.

Winemaking and aging

The Pommard 1er cru "Argilières" 2020 harvest is carried out exclusively by hand, with the bunches carefully placed in small 8-kilogram wooden crates. A rigorous double sorting is performed: first on a vibrating sorting table, then manually by six specially trained people. The grapes are then conveyed to the tank via a conveyor belt, with some bunches destemmed while others go into the vat whole, depending on the winemaker’s decisions. Alcoholic fermentation starts naturally thanks to indigenous yeasts and lasts between 6 and 8 days, with punch-downs or pump-overs adjusted to conditions. After about 3 weeks, the wine is transferred into oak barrels by gravity. Aging varies between 10 and 20 months depending on the vintage, with the proportion of new barrels never exceeding 50% in order to preserve the purity of the fruit. Aging takes place on fine lees, and the lunar calendar guides racking and bottling decisions. The wine is neither fined nor filtered, thus preserving the full breadth of its complexity.

Grape variety

100% Pinot Noir