Domaine Germain Père et Fils, 'La Chanière', 2022, Pommard (AOC)

'One-Liner'
Proper Pommard with muscle and polish – dark berries, cherry and spice wrapped in firm tannins and beautifully judged oak.

Tasting Note
Deep ruby with purple highlights, opening with aromas of blackberry, blueberry and redcurrant alongside ripe cherry and plum. The palate is structured and concentrated, with generous dark fruit carried by firm, youthful tannins that promise to soften beautifully with time. Notes of pepper, cocoa and subtle leather emerge beneath the fruit, while the oak brings gentle toast and spice without overwhelming the Pinot Noir. There is real power here, but also enough freshness and fruit to keep the wine poised rather than heavy. Long and savoury on the finish, with dark berries, spice and a touch of earthy complexity lingering behind.

Country: France
Region: Burgundy
Sub-Region: Pommard AOC
Grape(s): 100% Pinot Noir
ABV: 13%
Friendly: Sustainable

Awards & Critics' Scores
n/a

The Story
Domaine Germain Père et Fils was founded in Saint-Romain in 1955 by Bernard and Jacqueline Germain and is now run by Arnaud Germain, with fourteen hectares spread across Saint-Romain and a handful of celebrated Côte de Beaune appellations including Pommard, Beaune, Volnay and Meursault. 'La Chanière' is one of the domaine’s distinct Pommard cuvées and shows the more muscular side of Pinot Noir beautifully. The grapes are harvested by hand from clay-limestone soils before the wine spends fifteen months entirely in barrel, with 35–40% new oak. Production is only around 5,000 bottles a year, giving this a pleasingly small-scale feel despite Pommard’s international reputation.

Perfect With... (click me for the recipe)
- Meat/fish: Venison loin with blackberry, juniper and red wine sauce
- Vegetarian: Chestnut mushroom pithivier with a dressed green salad
- Vegan: Lentil and walnut stuffed onions with rosemary and red wine gravy