2023 Domaine Lucien Muzard Pommard Les Cras Vieilles Vignes, Burgundy

Vinified in tronconic and then aged in barrels. Medium deep crimson. An attractive red fruit bouquet. Suggests a bit of the firmness of Pommard on the nose, but there is easily enough red fruit to cover the bones. Still a final tannin or two but there is fine density to this and a good long finish. Drink from 2028-2033. Tasted Oct 2024. Tasted by:

89-92 points Jasper Morris MW, Inside Burgundy

Domaine Lucien Muzard is one of the Côte de Beaune's most respected family estates, quietly producing some of Burgundy's finest value wines. Now led by brothers Claude and Hervé Muzard, the domaine is celebrated for traditional winemaking, old vines and meticulous vineyard work that allows each site to express its unique character. Les Cras Vieilles Vignes is sourced from mature vines in one of Pommard's finest lieux-dits, producing Pinot Noir of depth, structure and remarkable finesse.

The 2023 vintage delivered beautifully balanced fruit, with ideal growing conditions preserving freshness while allowing exceptional flavour concentration. The old vines produced naturally low yields, resulting in impressive intensity, while the limestone and clay soils contribute the firm structure and mineral precision that define great Pommard.

Deep ruby with youthful crimson highlights, the bouquet reveals black cherry, wild raspberry and red plum layered with violets, warm spice and subtle forest floor notes. As the wine evolves, hints of fine cedar, crushed stone and earthy complexity emerge, adding depth and intrigue. The palate is beautifully structured, combining concentrated red and dark berry fruit with silky tannins, vibrant acidity and a finely etched mineral backbone. Powerful yet elegant, the finish is long, savoury and wonderfully persistent.

A superb match for duck breast, roast lamb, beef bourguignon, mushroom pithivier or mature Époisses. Produced from old vines and in limited quantities, this is a beautifully crafted Pommard that will reward both early enjoyment and patient cellaring.

Cellaring: Drink now to 2040.