1955 pommard grands epenots

2.4.2014billn

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I rarely drink more than a couple of glasses per evening, but sometimes you have to suffer for your art – no? Of-course it could have been oh-so different!

The wine in question was a 1955 Tastevinage, and given my experience of the Tastevinage, I have a positive impression of the quality today – I can’t vouch for before I was born though! Anyway, whilst it had less than a couple of inches of ullage, after removing the top of the capsule, the cork looked pretty damp. Usually this (supposedly dry) end stinks of oxidised wine when so wet – but I could detect none. With screwpull-worm and ah-so in tandem I slowly began to pull (twist) the cork out. It nearly, nearly made it one piece too, but the cork was longer than the ah-so and left a small chunk behind. Fortunately it could be removed without dropping into the wine. Impressively for such an age, you could still even make out some of the wording on the cork; Grands Epenots…

1955 Tastevinage, Pommard Grands Epenots
No mention of 1er Cru – in those days you were supposed to know that the Village name followed by a vineyard name, on the same line with the same size of letters, was indeed a 1er Cru! The producer was Henri Gaunoux (et ses Fils), and it was bottled for Mövenpick, Switzerland who have/had, wineshops, restaurants and hotels.
This is rather dark and seems rather browner than might be palatable, but the core is still of something that looks red. Ooh – what a pretty and sweet nose. It’s showing a little earth and some soy sauce but wrapped in a sort of clean sweetness. In the mouth it’s not super concentrated but it’s clean, quite fresh and silky too – unless you chew – and here are grainy tannins that (blind) could be only 5 or 6 years old; but – such is the balance here – you have to look for them. The finish is not super-long, but has a sweet, almost spiced, pears poached in wine impression. I simply love the nose and appreciate all the rest.
Rebuy – No Chance! – so I’m luckily that I have a few more 😉

Out of interest, I thought I’d have quick look at what was happening in 1955:
Mercedes’ 190SL was launched
James Dean died – but in a Porsche!
Albert Einstein also died – not car-related
West Germany becomes a recognised country and joins NATO
The last occupying Soviet troops leave Austria (I’d no idea it was so late…)
The Warsaw Pact was signed

Agree? Disagree? Anything you'd like to add?

There are 3 responses to “1955 pommard grands epenots”

  1. Tom Blach2nd April 2014 at 8:10 pmPermalinkReply

    What an absolute treat. We were always told that it was only the rarest Burgundies that would age beyond a few years. What nonsense that turned out to be.
    Anthony Hanson was not too positive about the Tastevinage label in his book but I have had some splendid wines with this label, including bottles from Ponsot, Clavelier and Alain Michelot, none of whom, I suppose, any longer requires such advocacy. It’s a long time since I’ve seen bottles from new vintages.

    • billn2nd April 2014 at 8:15 pmPermalinkReply

      There are plenty Tom, but as you say – where to find them(?) I have to assume that a majority are sold in France:
      Palmarès Tastevinage Printemps 2014
      And of-course that’s just ‘Spring’ – it’s twice a year, every year…

  2. Tom Blach2nd April 2014 at 8:48 pmPermalinkReply

    what an interesting and thirst-making list. Not having consumed since last Friday I am filled with desire for an Irancy, strangely.

  3. Chris7th April 2014 at 1:50 pmPermalinkReply

    Hi Bill,
    great article on Gaunoux. Had a bottle of ’96 Grands Epenots recently – big fun! And still a young wine.
    I really enjoy your website. Thanks for all the good work.
    Cheers,
    Chris

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