Domaine Lejeune - Pommard 1er Cru 'Les Poutures' 2017

Domaine Lejeune crafts its wines using the most traditional methods, whilst taking advantage of current technological advances. Their objective is to fashion Pommard in the traditional style, with a solid potential for cellaring and aging.

The method of vinification is highly original. Rotten (botrylised) berries are scrupulously eliminated, but the stems are retained. Each vat is filled to about 20-40% of its volume,(depending of the year) with whole clusters or bunches.

These are trodden by foot to release enough juice for the alcoholic fermentation to begin, precipitated by the action of natural yeasts found in the atmosphère and on the bloom of the grape at harvest time. In the meantime the vats are filled almost to the top with more whole clusters. Their weight forces more juice to be released at the bottom. This initial phase of the alcoholic fermentation lasts 5-7 days and is called "semi-carbonic maceration" as many of the berries ferment whole, rather than as a pulp. 

Then, as the alcoholic fermentation proceeds these grapes are progresively but gently crushed from the top of the vats by hand, foot or specially designed poles. The grapes are encouraged to macerate or steep as long as possible, to leech color and tannin, from the skin.9 into the wine. Sometimes it takes 21-26 days between the time the wooden vats are filled to the time the wine is run off into barrel. Our old, vertical wooden press gently squeezes more juice from the marc of skins that remains in vat after the wine is run off. Domaine Lejeune does not fine or filter the wine before bottling, to leave all the structure, body, aroma and flavour that nature gave in the grape. 

Age of the vine: 10 to 20 years. Aging in 228 liter oak barrels. 30 to 40% new barrels.

Producer: Domaine Lejeune

Country: France

Region: Burgundy

Varietal: Pinot Noir

Appellation: Pommard 1er Cru

Vintage: 2017

Size: 750ml