Domaine de Courcel – 2019 Grand Clos des Épenots 1er Cru

Domaine de Courcel – 2019 Grand Clos des Épenots 1er Cru.

A striking and structured Burgundy that channels the depth of Pommard with precision and authority. Grand Clos des Épenots is one of Domaine de Courcel’s crown jewels, and in 2019 it offers a combination of power, lift, and age-worthy finesse that places it among the standout wines of the vintage.

About the Winery

Domaine de Courcel is one of Burgundy’s oldest family estates, with roots dating back to 1600. The domaine has remained in the hands of the de Courcel family ever since—a remarkable continuity even by Burgundian standards. Today, ownership rests with Gilles de Courcel and his three sisters, who have overseen the estate since 1976. 

Daily management is led by Anne Bommelaer and Marie de Courcel, ensuring that the domaine’s historical identity is preserved while its viticultural and stylistic ambitions continue to evolve. Winemaking has been under the direction of the highly respected Yves Confuron since 1996. Also, co-owner and winemaker at the famed Domaine Confuron-Cotetidot in Vosne-Romanée, Confuron brings a philosophy rooted in traditional Burgundy: whole-cluster fermentation, long macerations, restrained extraction, and meticulous élevage in French oak. His approach yields wines of depth, density, and unmistakable structure—wines built not for immediacy, but for decades in the cellar.

The domaine farms approximately 10.5 hectares in Pommard, of which nearly 5 hectares belong to the Premier Cru monopole Grand Clos des Épenots, one of the village’s most coveted sites and the beating heart of the estate. Additional holdings include a small but prized portion of Les Rugiens, often considered the finest terroir in Pommard. In total, roughly half of the domaine’s production is Premier Cru fruit. A limited quantity of white wine is also produced from Chardonnay planted on higher elevations of Les Rugiens—a rarity in Pommard and a testament to the diversity of the domaine’s holdings.

Annual production averages around 30,000 bottles, making these wines both authentic and inherently limited. While Domaine de Courcel is firmly grounded in Pommard stylistically, its reputation extends far beyond the village. Its wines are consistently regarded as among the most profound in the entire Côte de Beaune—structured, serious, and deeply expressive of their terroir.

With its centuries-old lineage, unwavering commitment to traditional craftsmanship, and exceptional Premier Cru holdings, Domaine de Courcel stands as one of Burgundy’s most respected torchbearers of terroir-driven, age-worthy Pinot Noir.

About the Vineyard

Grand Clos des Épenots is part of the revered Les Épenots sector on the northern side of Pommard, arguably the village’s most prestigious cluster of Premier Cru vineyards. While Pommard is often associated with sturdier, more tannic expressions of Pinot Noir, Les Épenots tends to deliver greater refinement, aromatic lift, and mineral drive.

The Clos itself is a monopole of Domaine de Courcel—a walled vineyard that the domaine manages end-to-end, allowing full control over farming and selection. Its soils are a complex mix of fine clay, gravel, and limestone fragments, giving the wines both richness and tension. Proximity to Volnay brings a subtle floral edge, while Pommard’s inherent structure anchors the wine with depth and persistence.

Grand Clos des Épenots is widely considered one of the village’s greatest sites, producing wines that marry power with elegance and reward long-term cellaring.

About the Wine

The 2019 vintage blessed Burgundy with concentration, ripeness, and energetic freshness, making it particularly favorable for terroirs like Épenots where structure is an integral part of the wine’s identity.

In the glass, the wine shows a vibrant ruby core with youthful depth. The nose opens with dark cherry, black raspberry, and redcurrant, joined by wild herbs, violets, and subtle notes of licorice and baking spice. With air, more savory nuances emerge—damp earth, iron, and a faint whisper of graphite.

On the palate, the wine is assertive yet impeccably composed. The fruit is pure and layered, supported by firm but finely grained tannins that reflect both the vineyard’s pedigree and the domaine’s signature style. There is a palpable sense of precision: lively acidity cuts through the richness, while mineral undertones lend definition and length. The finish is long, resonant, and slightly saline, with spice and red fruit lingering gracefully.

Though expressive now, the 2019 Grand Clos des Épenots is clearly built for the long haul. Its structural architecture suggests that the next decade will bring even more harmony and complexity.

Conclusion

The 2019 Grand Clos des Épenots by Domaine de Courcel is a compelling example of Pommard at its finest—structured, deep, and rooted in one of the village’s most esteemed Premier Cru vineyards. It delivers both the strength associated with Pommard and the refinement that distinguishes the Épenots terroir, offering a wine that will reward patience and evolve beautifully with time.

We award this wine a 93-point DWA score—a powerful, terroir-driven Burgundy with exceptional aging potential and clarity of expression.

This review is written by our own Niels Aarts. Domaine De Courcel and their wines are available through our partner Total Grand Cru, and can be bought in their online shop.

Taste Date:     November 2025 

Website:         Domaine De Courcel