2019 Armand Heitz Pommard 1er Cru Rugiens, Burgundy

History and tradition: the Rugiens have been renowned and vinified in isolated vats for several centuries. They will be worshipped in the 19th century and considered with the Cortons as the best wines of the Beaune. This adulation was reduced to the benefit of the name of the village when it was not classified as a grand cru in the 1930s.

Soil: the Rugiens sector is entirely raised from a low-slope area, rich in iron oxide, to a stony hillside with lighter and clearer soils

Cellaring potential: 10-15 years Vine planting: 1974, 1975 et 1994 Surface: 0.4318 ha Maturation: 14 months Whole cluster rate: 100% New oak barrels rate: 20 to 40%

This is aromatically similar to the Clos des Poutures but with more evident spice elements. The sleek, intense and much more mineral-driven flavours that possess fine mid-palate density before culminating in a powerful, focused, linear and youthfully austere finale. This is clearly built-to-age and a wine that’s going to need at least 7 to 8 years of patience first.

91 points Allen Meadows burghound.com Drink 2031+