Domaine Billard Pommard 2022

Alcohol: 13%

Grape(s) : Pinot Noir

Localisation : Côte de Beaune, Burgundy, France

Tasting Notes: This wine combines the typical structure of Pommard with a fleshy texture and fine tannins.  Beautiful cherry and blackberry fruit notes.

Notes: The Pommard is produced by combining two very small parcels of vineyards: “Les Tavannes” and “Le Bas des Saussilles.” Each parcel is approximately a quarter hectare in size. As with his other wines, Jerome harvests on the late side and all grapes are harvested manually. Fermentation in cement vats with maceration of up to two weeks is followed by 15 months of maturing in oak barrels, one-third new.

The Domain: Domaine Billard has approximately 12.5 hectares of vineyards in different appellations throughout the Cotes de Beaune. Their largest holdings are in the Hautes Cotes de Beaune, with other small plots located in Saint Romain, Saint Aubin 1er Cru, Auxey Duresses, and Beaune. The Domaine passed from father to son recently and Jérôme Billard has brought a new philosophy to his family Domaine. Farming is done with respect for nature and follows the principles of organic farming. Yields are kept low through the use of cover crops and severe pruning and all the vines are harvested by hand. Only indigenous yeasts are used for fermentation.

When the Domaine passed from father to son, Jérôme Billard brought a new philosophy with him. The farming practices changed to eliminate chemicals, rebalance the soils and follow the principles of organic farming. Jerome hired a specialist to work a few of their vineyards with a horse, and in 2019, after seeing the results, the Billards purchased their own horse, which enabled them to expand the number of vineyards they work without a tractor.

In contrast to his father, who sold his wine to the local cooperative, Jérôme developed a market for his wines, and estate bottles his entire production.