| Region of production: | Côte de Beaune |
| Winery Location: | Pommard |
| Year Established: | 1826 |
Vineyard Holdings
10 ha
- Pommard Clos des Epeneaux Premier Cru: a 5.25 ha monopole of Pinot Noir, planted 1930-1986; the top of the vineyard is thin, rocky marl over hard limestone while the lower section has deeper soil with more iron oxide
- Volnay Fremiets Premier Cru: 0.39 ha Pinot Noir, planted 1950-1980
- Auxey-Duresses Premier Cru: 1.08 ha Pinot Noir, planted in 1960
- Volnay AOC: 1.18 ha Pinot Noir, planted in 1960
Top Wines Produced
- Pommard Clos des Epeneaux Premier Cru
- Pommard Premier Cru: produced from younger vines in the Clos des Epeneaux
- Pommard AOC: produced from young vines in the Clos des Epeneaux
Average Total Production
- 48,000 bottles
Summary
The Clos des Epeneaux has been in the Armand family since 1826, when Comte Armand married a daughter of the Marey-Monge family, whose extensive 19th-century domaine included the Clos. Domaine Comte Armand made wine exclusively from the Clos des Epeneaux until a 1994 purchase of vineyards in Auxey-Duresses and Volnay.
The domaine was revitalized in 1985 when the Comte Armand placed a young Canadian, Pascal Marchand, in charge; he converted to organic farming and modernized the cellars. In 1999, 23-year-old Benjamin Leroux took over from Marchand; he also completed the estate’s transition to biodynamic farming that had begun in 1996.
Style & Vinification Techniques
The red grapes are completely de-stemmed and cooled before beginning fermentation with indigenous yeasts. The amount of pigeage and remontage varies, depending on vintage conditions. The wine spends an extended period on the skins—usually at least 28 days—prior to pressing, and the wines are aged in up to 80% new oak for the Clos des Epeneaux. Barrel-aging lasts up to 22 months for the Clos des Epeneaux and 15-18 months for the other wines.
Producer Website: Comte Armand