The 2018 Pommard 1er Cru Clos de la Commaraine Monopole is the inaugural vintage for this new estate, and 20 barrels were produced, 10 of which were new and the remaining 10 once used. Cropped at 40 hectoliters per hectare and entirely destemmed, the wine has turned out nicely, wafting from the glass with a rich bouquet of wild berries and raspberries mingled with hints of orange rind, woodsmoke and toasty oak. On the palate, it's medium to full-bodied, fleshy and enveloping, with succulent acids and melting tannins, concluding with a perfumed and nicely defined finish.

Monopole. Very pale, rather grey crimson. Not a particularly expressive nose. But quite refined tannins and attractively earthy fruit. Giving this wine the benefit of the doubt, I think it’s holding back for a rather glorious evolution. (JR)