Domaine Du Pavillon Pommard Clos des Ursulines 2018

Maison Albert Bichot was established in Beaune in 1831 by Bernard Bichot, grandfather of the first of a line of Albert Bichots.

The current managing director is Alberic Bichot (born 1964) who has revitalised the business which is now based around a series of domaines: Long-Depaquit in Chablis, Clos Frantin for the Côte de Nuits, du Pavillon for the Côte de Beaune and Domaine d’Adélie for Mercurey. Wines with one or other of these denominations will be from their own vineyards, while wines just bearing the name Albert Bichot will be from purchased grapes.

The company has separate vinification centres in Chablis, Pommard, Nuits-St-Georges and Beaune itself. Lupé-Cholet is an associated marque. Christophe Chavel has been looking after the vineyards since 2000, ensuring that they are all ploughed and no fertilisers are used. Alain Serveau, originally from a domaine in Morey-St-Denis, is technical director. Fermentation takes place in wooden vats of varying sizes depending on the specific plot of vines in question, using natural yeasts. Maturation is in oak barrels without too much new wood: 20 to 30 per cent for village wines, from 50 to 100 per cent for grands crus.

Bichot is now a serious player with some excellent red wines which avoid showing too much of a house style, and some fine whites

Located a stone's throw from the centre of Pommard the "Clos des Ursulines" is a veritable haven of peace scattered with centuries-old pine trees… undoubtedly this tranquility appealed to the nuns at the Ursulines convent, who were the first owners of this vineyard.

A monopole with a surface area of nearly 10 acres, this plot is located at the southern extremity of Pommard, towards Volnay. Its unique terroir belies the all-too-common belief that Pommard's wines are synonymous with a certain "masculine" character.

Grapes are handpicked before fermentation in oak vats. Ageing is for 14-16 months in 30% new oak

Deep nose combining scents of red and black fruit (cherry, blackcurrant, fig...), notes of flowers (violet, rose, peony...) and delicate nuances of oak and spices. These scents will evolve towards more animal and undergrowth notes over the years. The palate is full bodied, round and supported by ripe tannins. This powerful, structured wine remains subtle, elegant and silky. The finish is long and velvety.