2010 Francois Gaunoux Pommard Les Tavannes

Francois Gaunoux has a long and distinguished history in Meursault, Burgundy. The Gaunoux family has been involved in winemaking in the Cote d’Or for centuries, and Francois is the son of the late Henri Gaunoux, who was a renowned winemaker. Francois started working in the vineyards at age 15, and for nearly 30 years was president of the Committee of Viticulture of the Cote d’Or. The 25-acre estate is now run by Francois and his daughter Claudine. Francois Gaunoux produces Grand Cru and Premier Cru Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Of particular note are the estate’s Meursault, Puligny-Montrachet, Volnay and Pommard.

Pommard is a relatively large appellation of 1,655 vineyard acres just a few miles south of Beaune. Though it has no Grands Crus, Pommard’s 28 Premiers Crus are generally well regarded. The appellation produces only red wine, and wine writers often note that despite Pommard’s proximity to both Beaune and Volnay, its wines are very different from the Pinot Noirs produced in neighboring appellations. Robert M. Parker Jr. wrote that “The top Pommards are full-bodied, chunky, muscular, fleshy wines that impress one more for their power and expansive, mouth filling texture than for pure finesse.” The most famous Premiers Crus are Les Epenots and Les Rugiens.

This red wine is relatively light and can pair with a wide variety of foods. The grape prefers cooler climates and the wine is most often associated with Burgundy, Champagne and the U.S. west coast. Regional differences make it nearly as fickle as it is flexible.