Dom Poulleau Bourgogne Rouge 22

Although the pandemic has curtailed my buying trips to Europe, my network of brokers and negociant friends has remained hard at the task. Even during these challenging times, they've worked tirelessly to arrange introductions and send samples -- allowing me to forge new relationships with vignerons all across Europe. Thanks to one of these terrific broker friends, Domaine Poulleau is the most recent addition to the AWM hand-picked Burgundy selections.

I have yet to meet the Poulleau family; however, it just took a couple of phone calls and a taste of their wines to persuade me that we had found another great Burgundy producer.

The village of Volnay is located in the Côte de Beaune region of Burgundy and is noted for producing some of the smoothest, most nuanced Pinot Noir in the Côte d'Or. Found between Mersault and Pommard, the appellation of Volnay was formed in 1937 and is home to only Pinot Noir.

Domaine Poulleau is a lovely 7.3 hectare domaine located in Volnay. Michel Poulleau created the Domaine in 1950 and today it is diligently managed by Michel's son Thierry Poulleau and his wife Florence

The Domaine owns vineyards in seven appellations, and ninety percent of their production is Pinot Noir, mostly from village appellated wines in Volnay along with Bourgogne, Beaune, Chorey, and Aloxe-Corton Charlemagne designation.

Domaine Poulleau Bourgogne Rouge Pinot Noir is Domaine's entry-level bottling, and it's what I hope will be the first of many wines from this estate. The bright red-ruby color opens to aromas of red berry and sweet red cherry in your glass, with just a whisper of tea and forest floor. The palate is super silky and smooth and features great length with soft yet persistent tannins. It's a beautiful introduction to this Domaine's wines, and we'll be looking forward to more from this terrific family.