DOMAINE DU COMTE ARMAND 2024
EN PRIMEUR RELEASE
Domaine du Comte Armand, also known as Domaine des Épeneaux, ranks among Burgundy’s most storied and singular estates, anchored in the heart of Pommard since the late 18th century. The estate owes its modern identity to the Clos des Épeneaux, a magnificent 5.3 hectare monopole of Pommard 1er Cru, re-walled in 1805 and bequeathed to the Armand family in 1828. Since then, it has remained in the same family without ever being sold. Over the past four decades the domaine has expanded beyond its historic walled vineyard, adding carefully selected plots in Volnay and Auxey Duresses to reach a total nine hectares, creating a tight knit portfolio of Pinot driven terroirs. The wines from these added vineyards are not second fiddle to the Clos Monopole. They are serious expressions of their own appellations.
Thibaut Mathieu Managing Director Corney & Barrow Asia
June 2026
THE DOMAINE
The current Comte Armand plays a quiet yet hands on role, preserving the family’s long term view of the estate as a living, evolving terroir project rather than a financial asset. He has overseen key transitions, including the decision to bring in outside talent such as Pascal Marchand, later Paul Zinetti, and now Jane Eyre (since March 2026), trusting them to steer viticulture and winemaking whilst remaining intellectually present in major strategic choices. Under his stewardship, the domaine has steadily refined its approach, moving first toward organic practices and, more recently, full biodynamic management, with an emphasis on biodiversity, soil health and minimal intervention.
The 2024 offer marks the penultimate vintage produced by Paul Zinetti. Burgundian born, Zinetti joined the estate in 2010 and took over winemaking from Benjamin Leroux in 2014. He cultivated the nine hectares with a grower’s precision and a scientist’s curiosity. His viticultural approach treated the Clos des Épeneaux as a “monopole” terrain of grandcru sensibility, with meticulous canopy management, low yields, and severe attention to each parcel’s micro-terroir. The Volnay and Auxey Duresses plots are also farmed with the same intensity, yielding some of the appellations’ most compelling expressions. In the cellar he favours a respectful, largely non interventionist style, vinifying Pinot Noir with careful sorting and gentle extraction, generous use of whole-bunch in some vintages, and élevage in a mix of older barrels and limited new oak — the proportion tuned carefully to vintage and cru.
The resulting wines combine the density and structure expected of Pommard with a new, more aromatic finesse and surprising lift, marked by layered red and black fruit, floral lift, spice and an underlying mineral backbone. Across the range, from Auxey Duresses through Volnay to the monumental Clos des Épeneaux, Domaine du Comte Armand offers a compelling narrative of continuity, terroir driven
The 2024 season in the Côte de Beaune demanded constant vigilance, particularly in Pommard where conditions were far from straightforward. A cool, unsettled spring led to uneven flowering and naturally reduced yields across many parcels. Summer brought intermittent heat and humidity, requiring rigorous canopy management to maintain balance and fruit integrity. Disease pressure was a concern, but careful sorting at harvest allowed the estate to retain only healthy, concentrated berries.
The resulting wines reflect a return to classical structure, with moderate alcohol and bright, defining acidity. In Pommard, the wines show their hallmark depth, with dark berry fruit framed by earthy and subtly spicy notes. Tannins are present but well-shaped, offering structure without excessive austerity. There is a welcome sense of energy and precision, with less weight but more transparency than recent warmer vintages.
The wines made by Zinetti and his team display impressive clarity of terroir and a firm yet refined backbone. 2024 is a vintage of honesty and balance, well-suited to both early enjoyment and midtermcellaring. It suits Paul’s philosophy of winemaking, looking for terroir expression, vintage subtlety andpleasure in the glass.
BOURGOGNE ALIGOTÉ
Taut and vibrant with citrus peel, orchard fruit, white flowers and a touch of festive spice. Crisp and sharply defined, with pineapple, bright acidity and a very lively, saline finish. Instantly enjoyable, this is an Aligoté that will easily convert you to this cépage
CORNEY & BARROW SCORE 18
RECOMMENDED DRINKING FROM 2026 – 2030
£130/CASE OF 6 BOTTLES, IN BOND
AUXEY-DURESSES
Ripe aromas of fleshy fruit with spice and a citrus lift that brings energy to a chalky, grippy frame. The palate shows warmth and structure, with firm tannins and a savoury, mouthwatering finish. The spectrum of fruits in the wine is different from what you find in Beaune, Volnay or Pommard, adding to the magic of Pinot Noir and Burgundy soil’s expressions.
CORNEY & BARROW SCORE 17.5
RECOMMENDED DRINKING FROM 2026 – 2032
£180/CASE OF 6 BOTTLES, IN BOND
AUXEY-DURESSES 1ER CRU
More concentrated and complex than the village, with juicy red and black fruit, sweet spice and a supple, velvety texture. There is real depth and volume here, from an appellation easily forgotten yet which produces a serious wine with a composed finish.
CORNEY & BARROW SCORE 17.5~18
RECOMMENDED DRINKING FROM 2027 – 2034
£310/CASE OF 6 BOTTLES, IN BOND
VOLNAY
A seductive and finely balanced Volnay, with red cherry, floral rose petal and elegant red-fruit perfume. Fleshy yet graceful, it combines finesse, freshness and a softly textured finish.
CORNEY & BARROW SCORE 17.5~18
RECOMMENDED DRINKING FROM 2026 – 2032
£250/CASE OF 6 BOTTLES, IN BOND
VOLNAY 1ER CRU FREMIETS
Brooding and mineral, with wild berries, aromas, potpourri and sweet spice notes, finishing on a subtly ferrous, earthy edge. Structured and serious, with notable depth, chalky grip and a powerful, rockier finish. It is characterful Volnay (to not use masculine), probably from its proximity with Pommard.
CORNEY & BARROW SCORE 18+
RECOMMENDED DRINKING FROM 2027 – 2034
£545/CASE OF 6 BOTTLES, IN BOND
POMMARD 1ER CRU CLOS DES ÉPENEAUX MONOPOLE
An especially expressive and aerial Clos des Épeneaux this year, vinified as a single cuvée for added harmony and polish. Soft yet poised, with red fruit, floral lift, sanguine notes, and a mineral undertone. It finishes long, graceful, and refined. A very seductive Pommard.
CORNEY & BARROW SCORE 18~18.5
RECOMMENDED DRINKING FROM 2026 – 2030
£850/CASE OF 6 BOTTLES, IN BOND
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