Domaine Michel Arcelain
The extremely small Domaine Michel Arcelain, from the village of Pommard, comes after we met Pierre and Charlotte in a room full of some of the biggest names in the Cote de Beaune. They made an impression both with their wines and with their engaging personalities. Pierre and Charlotte do everything here - from planting and ploughing, to pruning and packing. They met shortly before commencing at the wine school in Beaune, were married a few years ago, and have quickly become a dynamic and energetic team.
Some history……… In 1889, Jules Arcelain took over the family farm and modified the plot during the phylloxera crisis. He replanted the famous grafted grape varieties Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, but importantly the root stock that was planted was the ancient and rare variety ‘Pinot Fin’. Unlike the more traditional Dijon clones, ‘Pinot Fin’ is a term used to refer to lower yielding, higher-quality selections of Pinot Noir that produce small, open clusters that deliver high quality wines with concentrated flavours and refined tannins.
He then passed on his knowledge and his land to his son who in turn passed it on to his children. The plot has therefore evolved over time and generations. Michel Arcelain and his wife Marie-Madeleine operated the estate since 1963, and today the estate is operated by their grandson Pierre and his wife Charlotte.
We are the only Australian importers of this small, humble, independent, family-run domaine not yet found in popular review spaces or web searches. They make delicious, light, complex Burgundy, all from minuscule plots within 3km of their house.
Wines Imported
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From a very small single vineyard, high on the hill, above top quality premier cru vineyards. There is a lovely floral aspect to the bouquet, then some generous red fruits fill the palate. The tannins are fine-boned. This is a wine that will appeal to those seeking the ethereal side of Burgundy.
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From the top of the hill, above the Premier Cru vineyard ‘Pezerolles’, grown in very rocky soil, this is your classic ‘iron fist in a velvet glove’. Beautiful fruit driven nose, some notes of leather and undergrowth with red and blackcurrants. Full bodied without being heavy, once again super fine tannins and considerable length. Unmistakably Pommard, and in keeping with the fine and fresh style of this domaine.
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Made from a blend of three parcels within the village; Les Combottes (next to 1er Cru Rugiens), Les Perrières (next to 1er Cru Epenots) and La Levrière. Aged for 20 months in oak barrels, this has a beautiful clear/ruby colour and a fruit forward nose dominated by cherry, liquorice, and subtle vanilla. On the palate, it stands out for its elegance and finesse, with flavours of red fruits such as cherry, blackcurrant and blueberry. Beautifully balanced, supported by fine tannins, giving great structure and length. Approachable now, but with long ageing potential. (15+ years).
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The Arcelain Pommard 1er Cru "Charmots" is an exceptional plot. Very well exposed to the south east, with shallow top soil, the vines sit on the rocks bringing power and minerality to the wine. Pierre views this vineyard as the jewel in his crown, and given the steep and precarious location of his vines, accessibility to his plot is rather difficult, meaning it can only be worked by hand; no tractors, no horses, just him and Charlotte.
100% destemmed, 20 months in oak (40% new oak), this is a structured wine with fine tannins, ideal for long term cellaring.
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One of the best-known, and arguably the best Beaune Premier Cru vineyards is 'Clos des Mouches'. So put Domaine Michel Arcelain's perfect Pinot vines in a vineyard of this calibre, and you get something special. This is elegant, lacy and fine, fresh and floral, with great balance and length. After being 100% destemmed, this sees 22 months in oak, 25% new, which supports, but doesn’t dominate, the fresh red fruit and undergrowth tones.
Long ageing potential (20+ years)
