2022 Yvon Clerget - Pommard Rugiens (750ml)

Domaine Yvon Clerget traces its roots in Volnay back to the thirteenth century, though production was mothballed when the eponymous Yvon Clerget retired in 2009, with the family's fruit sold off to Henri Boillot in the years that followed. His son Thibaud revived the domaine in 2015 and has since grown it to roughly ten hectares, anchored by the flagship Volnay monopole Clos du Verseuil, along with prized parcels in Pommard's Les Rugiens and a small holding in Clos de Vougeot.

Les Rugiens sits on the upper part of a steep slope, its rocky red soil rich in iron oxide with limestone close to the surface at around 320 meters. Vines here average roughly forty years old. In 2022 the grapes were destemmed with a small portion of whole clusters retained, fermented with indigenous yeasts, then aged in barrel with about a quarter new oak, unfined and unfiltered before bottling.

The bouquet is taut and crisp, opening to black cherry, briar, and forest floor. The palate is medium bodied, with pliant, chiseled tannins and a ferrous, mineral finish that lingers. Serve with charcuterie, grilled lamb chops, or roasted guinea fowl.