Domaine Michel Arcelain
Domaine Michel Arcelain from the Cote de Beaune village of Pommard is new to our portfolio and 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. After our initial meeting at the crowded trade show, we met them again a few days later at their domaine in Pommard on a cold and grey Friday afternoon for a wonderful tasting. 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 last year, 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. We were not expecting to find a Pommard producer on our recent trip, but their wines are so ethereal and lacy, with beautiful fine tannins, that they were too good to ignore.
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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Located by walking out the back gate of the domaine, this walled vineyard lies right next to the highly esteemed Premier cru vineyard of ‘Les Rugiens’. The wine is bright, red fruit driven and elegant with a very fine tannin profile making this a definite long term cellaring prospect.
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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 at all. Once again, super fine tannins and considerable length. Delicious, well structured, yet elegant Pommard.
