2015 Albert Bichot Domaine du Pavillon Pommard Clos des Ursulines Monopole Cote de Beaune 750 ml

Our Best Burgundy Find of the Year

Burgundy enthusiasts, the 94-point Wine Enthusiast “Cellar Selection” 2015 Albert Bichot Pommard Clos des Ursuline Domaine du Pavillon should be on your radar and in your cellar. Here’s why.

First, the vintage: 2015 was an extraordinary year throughout the Cote d’Or, with comparisons being drawn to the legendary 2005s—Decanter rated 2015 an incredible 5 out of 5, hailing “rich, powerful and statuesque” wines built for the long haul.

Second, the vineyard: Clos des Ursuline in Pommard is a monopole, which means it is owned and farmed exclusively by Albert Bichot, a true rarity in Burgundy. Total control over the vineyard means greater quality of fruit and greater expression of an incredible terroir. And Pommard is world-class Burgundy ground, known for delivering more forward and broad wines on the palate.  

Third, price: to find a single-vineyard parcel of this quality amongst the 2015s is unlikely, to say the least. The 2015 Clos des Ursuline offers the richness and concentration of this extraordinary vintage in an elegant package, with generous dark cherry and cranberry fruit accented by a gorgeous array of secondary flavors—leather, tea leaf, and forest floor—all for $55. Shipping included on 3.

For those who are familiar with the wines of Albert Bichot, the pedigree here should be no surprise. The Bichot family has lived in Burgundy since the 14th century and has been making wine there since 1831. Quality and longevity are synonymous with the Bichot name. The current generation, led by Albéric Bichot, refuses to rest on their laurels, however. Albéric introduced organic viticulture in the family’s Cote d’Or vineyards and continues to push the envelope on quality. The Bichot family’s Domaine du Pavillon estate in Pommard contains the Clos des Ursuline monopole. It is a prime example of a storied terroir harnessed to its greatest potential through Bichot’s modern winegrowing techniques. First owned by the nuns of Ursuline, the vineyard here covers eight acres on calcareous clay soil, comprised of veteran vines between 30 and 40 years old.

In 2015, Pinot Noir berries were immensely concentrated with thicker than average skins, yielding a deeply colored, well-structured wine with great aging potential. The 2015 Clos des Ursuline offers generous dark cherry and cranberry fruit accented by a gorgeous array of secondary flavors—leather, tea leaf, and forest floor. For Burgundy collectors, we highly recommend cellaring multiple bottles. This elegant translation of a single, remarkable vineyard will pay dividends for years to come.