Domaine Parent has long been a leading producer of premium wines in Burgundy. With a history going back many generations, Etienne Parent was rumoured to have sold wine to Thomas Jefferson back in 1787. Moving to the modern era, Domaine Parent is recognised as one of the first growers to sell their production in bottle rather than in bulk. Now run by 12th generation custodian Anne Parent, the domaine continues to produce some of the most eye catching wines in Burgundy and specifically in Pommard.
With the domaine’s vineyards certified organic and biodynamic, Domaine Parent aspires only to precisely express the balance between power and finesse and, of course, the unique essence of each vineyard. The result is wines that, due to their unique character, find a prominent place on the gastronomic tables of the world alongside other great Burgundy wines. During my last visit to the domaine in November 2024, Anne very kindly presented an incredible vertical of Premier Cru Les Epenots. Their Pommard 1er Cru “Les Epenots” comes from Domaine Parents own vineyard plot where old vines of 53 years of age rub shoulders with 26-year-old vines on a clay-limestone soil to reveal the true power and expression of Pommard Pinot Noir at its best.
After manual harvesting carried out with the utmost care, the grapes are meticulously sorted on tables, one of which is a vibrating sorter. Subsequently, the bunches are destemmed and the berries macerated in a cold soak for three to five days. Temperature controlled fermentation, punching down and pumping over two to three times a day accompany the winemaking process. In total, the wine remains in the vat for 18 to 20 days. Then, the wines are aged for 16 to 18 months in French oak barrels, 30% to 50% of which are new, before being bottled at the estate.
Premier Cru Les Epenots 2017 to 2023 Vertical:
Domaine Anne Parent Pommard 1er Cru Les Epenots 2023
40% whole bunch, 50% new French oak. A fabulously fragrant expression bursting with life, packed full of perfumed violets, creme de cassis, black maraschino cherry and blueberry compote. The chalky candied pink musk nuances make this an incredible complex and compelling offering with seamless limestone tannins and a fantastically intense finish. A true classic for the vintage.
(Wine Safari Score: 93-94/100 Greg Sherwood MW)
Domaine Anne Parent Pommard 1er Cru Les Epenots 2022
40% Whole bunch and 50% new French oak. Creamy, dense and plush with black cherry and damson plum spice. Full, harmonious, creamy and broad. A stunning expression.
(Wine Safari Score: 95/100 Greg Sherwood MW)
Domaine Anne Parent Pommard 1er Cru Les Epenots 2021
100% destemmed. Explosive aromatics! The perfume and lift is turbo charged, full of cherry blossom, cassis, oyster shell, and black berry. The texture is linear, taut and fresh with a seductive texture, pinpoint polished tannins and an incredibly fine grained, compact structure. Wow!
(Wine Safari Score: 96/100 Greg Sherwood MW)
Domaine Anne Parent Pommard 1er Cru Les Epenots 2020
40% Whole bunch in 50% new French oak. Dense, dark and richly fruited with salty cassis, savoury plum and bramble berry fruits with a hint of tilled earth. The acids are soft, the tannins sweet and the texture open knit, fleshy and generous with a long, brûléed, creamy finish.
(Wine Safari Score: 94/100 Greg Sherwood MW)
Domaine Anne Parent Pommard 1er Cru Les Epenots 2019
50% Whole bunch. From a warm vintage, it’s very easy to taste. Tightens up a bit but still another very attractive wine with red and black fruits, chocolate, earth and savoury cured meats. Intense with subtle truffle nuances and a creamy generous concentration. An easy to appreciate expressive wine.
(Wine Safari Score: 94+/100 Greg Sherwood MW)
Domaine Anne Parent Pommard 1er Cru Les Epenots 2018
Normal crop, but a more austere, classical vintage. Complex earthy nose full of gunsmoke, tilled earth and earthy red currant fruits with a subtle savoury tertiary complexity. Compact mid palate, supple acids, soft stony mineral tannins with a polished savoury, meaty finish.
(Wine Safari Score: 92+/100 Greg Sherwood MW)
Domaine Anne Parent Pommard 1er Cru Les Epenots 2017
Beautifully bright and expressive with an earthy hint, savoury black currant, raspberry and tart tangy acids with impressive energy, vibrancy and an exotic high toned finish. Drinking beautifully now.
(Wine Safari Score: 94/100 Greg Sherwood MW)
