Pommard Clos des Epeneaux, Domaine Comte Armand 2009

**Note: the 5+ ha Clos is composed of approximately 80% Petits Epenots and 20% Grands Epenots; the vine ages run from 18 to 75+ years of age**This is also quite ripe but agreeably fresh with pure aromas of mocha, red currant, cassis, black cherry, warm earth, violets and subtle spice hints. There is good energy to the intense and admirably rich full-bodied flavors that envelope the palate with velvety sap on the beautifully balanced and impressively persistent finish. I very much like the sense of underlying tension because despite this being a big wine with plenty of concentration, the balance is impeccable and there is absolutely nothing ponderous about this complete effort. There is a hint of backend warmth but otherwise, this is really most impressive. Note however that this very firm effort will require plenty of cellar time.

As always, there is something Tuscan on the nose with good definition: raspberry coulis and wild strawberry, although it seems to calm down in the glass, becoming more refined and focused. Ripe and generous on the entry, sappy red-berried fruits, soft and caressing with a deep, lush finish. Lovely. Tasted January 2011.

(not yet racked; I tasted four components and then an approximation of the final blend, described in this note) Good deep red. Slightly reduced aromas of dark cherry, spices, licorice and stone. Complex, ripe and smooth; seamless and velvety but not at all heavy. The flavors of dark cherry, chocolate and spices carry through on the very long, perfumed finish, which features ripe tannins in perfect balance with the wine's mid-palate texture. This will be accessible early but should easily age for 10 or 15 years. Leroux destemmed the Clos completely, as he doesn't like vendange entier "for structured terroirs

(the vine ages in this 5+ ha vineyard run from 18 to 75+ years of age. The 2009 Closdes Epeneaux is segregated into several different cuvées based on vineyard location and will then be blended in varyingproportions. The tasting note that follows is based upon a sample that should reasonably resemble the final blend). This isalso very fresh and bright with pure aromas of ripe red currant, warm earth, violets and subtle spice hints that are in keepingwith the energetic, intense and admirably rich full-bodied flavors that envelope the palate with velvety sap on the beautifullybalanced and impressively persistent finish. I very much like the sense of underlying tension because despite this being a bigwine with plenty of concentration, the balance is impeccable and there is absolutely nothing ponderous about this completeeffort that is well-structured but not so much so that it is in the "buy and forget" category. In short, buy it. (92-95)/2021+