Productinformation
For Launay-Horiot, winemaking is an eternal interplay between vine, terroir, weather and the winemaker. The approach is respectful and deliberate, the soil is ploughed and treatments are limited to what is strictly necessary.
At the end of autumn, after harvesting and winemaking, they go back into the vineyard. The soil is nourished, plant material renewed and pruning is started. This substantial work is an essential investment for quality production.
All grapes are harvested by hand in small 11kg crates to arrive at the sorting table undamaged. After careful sorting, the grapes arrive intact in the barrels. There they undergo cold maceration before fermentation for 6-8 days. Pigages and pump-overs take place once or twice a day to achieve the desired extraction.
All wines mature for 12 to 16 months in oak barrels and then 1 to 2 months in casks before bottling. The proportion of new oak is adapted to each appellation and ranges from 15% to 75%.
By some, Rugiens-Bas is also considered Pommard's Grand Cru location. Xavier Horiot owns just 0.09 hectares in Rugiens-Bas and is always one of the most sought-after wines in his portfolio.
The 2022 Pommard Les Rugiens-Bas 1er Cru, aged in 50% new oak has plenty of concentration on the nose: blackberries, wild strawberry, cherry, crushed stone and loamy aromas. A well-balanced palette with a firm but delicious and precise structure. This is definitely one of those Rugiens-Bas where 1er cru doesn't quite cover it. This wine will not show its true potential for another eight to 12 years.