François Martenot Pommard Les Pruniers 2018

A Pommard worth the occasion Pommard is one of Burgundy’s most famous red-wine villages: a single commune in the Côte de Beaune, a short drive south of Beaune, making only red wine from Pinot Noir. It is known as the most powerful and structured of the Côte de Beaune reds, a clear contrast to the silkier wines of neighbouring Volnay. Its clay-limestone soils, laced with iron and rock debris that keeps the vines well drained, give Pommard its depth, firm tannins and ability to age. François Martenot’s Pommard Les Pruniers comes from the house’s Collection range. Every bottle is individually numbered on the label. The 2018 vintage 2018 was a warm, sunny year in Burgundy that produced ripe, generous reds. A cold winter and plentiful spring rain built up water reserves, so the vines came through the hot, dry summer without stress. Cool nights kept the freshness in the grapes, and picking ran from late August into September. Decanter rates the 2018 Côte d’Or reds 4.5 out of 5 , describing them as powerful, ripe and age-worthy. Seven years on from harvest, this 2018 has softened into an open, rounded Pommard that is drinking beautifully now. Tasting notes Colour: Deep, bright ruby. Nose: Black cherry, plum and kirsch, with spice, a little forest floor and the leathery, savoury edge that comes with bottle age. Palate: Full for a Pinot Noir, round and complete, with ripe fruit, fresh acidity and rounded, velvety tannins leading to a long, savoury finish. Food pairing Pommard’s structure calls for richer food: roast or grilled beef, lamb, duck breast, nyama choma, game, mushroom risotto and beef stew. With cheese, try Comté, Époisses or a mature Brie. Serving & cellaring Serve at 15–17°C. In Nairobi’s warmth, give it about 20 minutes in the fridge before opening. Pour into a large Burgundy glass, or decant 30 minutes ahead to open it up. It is drinking well now and will keep for a few more years if stored lying down somewhere cool and dark. About Maison François Martenot The house’s roots go back to an estate in Savigny-lès-Beaune founded in 1859. Lucien Gustave Martenot bought it in July 1922 and turned it into a Burgundy wine house, which his daughter Charlotte later ran. Since 2015 it has been owned by the Helfrich family. Today the house farms around 270 hectares across 13 estates, all certified HVE 3 (France’s highest environmental certification) since 2021, including Premier and Grand Cru plots such as Pommard 1er Cru Les Epenots and Corton-Charlemagne. The house also buys regularly at the famous Hospices de Beaune charity auction. Order online for same-day delivery in Nairobi on orders placed before 2pm, or shipping across Kenya. Questions? WhatsApp us on 0718 003 302.