Domaine Billard-Gonnet Pommard Premier Cru 2009

The last time I saw Philippe Billard, I was lucky. It was the summer of 2015 and I sent him an email at the last minute when another appointment was cancelled. Amazingly, he answered right away confirming our appointment. I had no idea at that point how lucky I was because after returning home, it took another 25 emails and one very awkward phone conversation (as neither of us really speaks the other’s language!) to finally get some wine sent.

He apologized profusely for the delay but he explained that he is a one man show, farming the vines, making the wines, seeing guys like me in the cellar….for a 60-something year old guy, it’s an absolutely insane work ethic.

That dedication was pretty clear at our tasting, a whirlwind exploration of the best vineyards of Pommard. Like that work ethic, Philippe’s wines are old-school, structured wines, built for the long-haul. Needless to say, I left there a huge fan.

His latest library release, direct from the domaine, is the Pommard Premier Cru. This is the most elegant, high-toned, classic Pommard with great aromatic complexity, fine texture and great length.