Product Information:
A father and son operation Domaine Jean-Marc and Thomas Bouley are considered by many to be one of the rising stars of the Côte de-Beaune. Within the Pommard appellation, which boasts 28 Premier Crus, Les Fremiers lies just below the famed Les Rugiens. Pommard is often associated to a stereotype of muscularity and power, but the best examples such as Les Fremiers have a more ethereal and weightless profile. This dichotomy is eloquently captured in the words of French poet Victor Hugo, who likened it to "night in combat with day."
The 2021 Les Fremiers unwinds in the glass revealing aromas of dark berries, rose petals, orange zest and exotic spices. The wine is full-bodied, supple and layered with spice and intrigue. Fremiers is a 1er cru just below the famed climat of Rugien-Bas, more structured, still elegant.
I have said this before but it bears repeating. Thomas Bouley is a first-rate young talent and I predict that you will be hearing a lot more about his wines going forward. - Burghound.
Maker:
Domaine Jean-Marc Bouley is a prestigious winery located in the heart of Burgundy, France, with a long-standing history of winemaking that dates back to the early 14th century. In 1985, Jean-Marc Bouley took over the family winery after his father's passing. Today, the estate spans over 12 hectares and boasts vineyards in Volnay, Pommard, and Beaune. After gaining experience in Oregon and New Zealand's Felton Road, Thomas Bouley, Jean-Marc's son, assumed the winemaking responsibilities in 2006. The estate is renowned for producing wines that exhibit exceptional transparency of terroir, purity, and fruit density, harmonising the traditional Burgundy wine style with the New World wine style.
Philosophy:
The winery follows a philosophy of honouring the terroir by allowing it to express itself fully in the wines. The vineyards are meticulously tended, and the grapes are hand-picked to ensure the highest quality. The winemaking process is gentle and non-intrusive, allowing the wines to convey the unique character of the terroir. Pommard is a renowned wine village located in the Côte de Beaune region of Burgundy, France. The village is known for producing some of the finest Pinot Noir wines in the world.
Crafted from Pinot Noir vines aged between 30 and 70 years old, the 'Les Rugiens' vineyard in the Pommard 1er Cru appellation epitomizes the essence of its terroir. Situated on a chalky-clay soil with rocky substrates in Pommard's middle slope, benefiting from a favourable Southeast exposure. Cultivated sustainably without weedkillers or chemical fertilisers, the grapes are harvested by hand and manually table sorted. Fermentation takes place in open vats for three weeks, the wine undergoes a 20-month ageing process in oak barrels, with 50% new oak, building layers of complexity and structure. Bottled at the Domain. This wine showcases the harmony between vine age, terroir expression, and meticulous winemaking, resulting in a red wine of exceptional depth, minerality, and subtle oak influence—a solid representation of Pommard.
Nose - Dark Berries, Rose Petals, Orange Zest
Unwinding in the glass with aromas of dark berries, rose petals, orange zest and exotic spices.
Palate - Velvety, Deep, Concentrated
The wine is full-bodied, supple and layered, with a velvety attack that segues into a deep, concentrated mid-palate.
Finish - Seamless, Perfume Finish
A long, perfumed finish. Seamless and complete.
(2020) Readers will face an enjoyable challenge determining whether they prefer the brilliant 2020 Pommard 1er Cru Les Fremiers or its 2019 predecessor, though sadly, in 2020 there are only four barrels—around 1,200 bottles—for a thirsty world. Unwinding in the glass with aromas of dark berries, rose petals, orange zest and exotic spices, the wine is full-bodied, supple and layered, with a velvety attack that segues into a deep, concentrated mid-palate and a long, perfumed finish. Seamless and complete, it’s a brilliant wine. – William Kelley, The Wine Advocate, 96 Points.
The Finer Details
Style - Red Wine
Varietal - Pinot Noir
Country - France
Region - Burgundy
Vintage - 2021
Bottle Size - 750ml
ABV - 13%
