Clos des Épeneaux

The clos was established as a walled vineyard by Nicolas Marey at the turn of the 19th century, and the Comte Armand family acquired it in 1828. Single-family ownership stretches back to 1756, making continuity of stewardship one of the vineyard's defining characteristics. The name itself carries a story: the spelling was changed from 'Epenots' to 'Épeneaux,' meaning 'waters' in French, specifically to honor an underground stream running beneath the site. For much of its history, the vineyard underperformed its potential until 1985, when Pascal Marchand took over winemaking and dramatically elevated quality. Today Clos des Épeneaux is considered a benchmark for the appellation.

• Walled vineyard established by Nicolas Marey circa late 18th/early 19th century
• Acquired by Comte Armand in 1828; single-family ownership since 1756
• Name change from 'Epenots' to 'Épeneaux' honors an underground stream
• Pascal Marchand's arrival in 1985 marked the turning point in quality

Clos des Épeneaux sits within the Pommard Premier Cru appellation on the Côte de Beaune, positioned at elevations between 240 and 260 meters with a southeast-facing aspect that captures favorable morning sun. The clos straddles two distinct Premier Cru lieux-dits: 4.6 hectares fall within Grands Épenots and 0.6 hectares within Petits Épenots. As a monopole of this size, it stands as one of the largest single-owner Premier Cru vineyards across both the Côte de Beaune and Côte de Nuits, a distinction that sets it apart from the heavily fragmented ownership patterns typical of Burgundy.

• Straddles Grands Épenots (4.6 ha) and Petits Épenots (0.6 ha)
• Southeast aspect captures morning sun; the walled enclosure moderates temperature and protects against frost
• One of the largest monopolies in the Côte de Beaune and Côte de Nuits combined
• Rivals Les Rugiens-Bas as Pommard's most prestigious Premier Cru

The vineyard's soils are predominantly ferruginous marl, a mixture of clay and calcium carbonate with significant iron-rich limestone content, along with limestone scree and stony pebbly material. Soil depth varies meaningfully across the slope: upslope sections carry thin, rocky soils just 20-30 cm deep, while downslope soils reach 60-80 cm. This gradient influences drainage, vine stress, and ultimately the concentration and structure of the resulting wines. The walled enclosure plays an active role in the microclimate, allowing gentle breezes to circulate while shielding vines from frost damage. The cool continental climate of the Côte de Beaune means the site's southeast orientation and morning sun exposure are particularly valuable for ripening Pinot Noir.

• Ferruginous marl soils with iron-rich limestone and limestone scree
• Soil depth ranges from 20-30 cm upslope to 60-80 cm downslope
• Walled enclosure promotes gentle airflow and frost protection
• Southeast aspect maximizes morning sun in a cool continental climate

Clos des Épeneaux produces full-bodied, structured Pinot Noir with genuine aging potential. The combination of iron-rich marl soils and careful viticulture yields wines with earthy, complex characters alongside perfumed floral and spicy notes. Cherry fruit sits at the core, supported by firm tannins that are characteristic of Pommard as an appellation. The wine's structured nature distinguishes it from lighter Côte de Beaune expressions, and bottles benefit from cellaring to allow tannins to integrate and secondary complexity to emerge. The variation in soil depth across the slope contributes layers of aromatic and textural nuance that make each vintage worth studying carefully.