Comte Armand
Summary
Comte Armand is a family-owned Burgundy estate spanning 9.5 hectares, primarily focused on structured, age-worthy Pinot Noir from their historic 5.5-hectare Clos des Epeneaux monopole in Pommard, with additional holdings in Auxey-Duresses and Volnay. Their winemaking combines traditional Burgundian methods with biodynamic viticulture (Demeter-certified since 2005), featuring indigenous yeast fermentations, significant whole-cluster inclusion, and extended oak aging that produces wines of authentic terroir expression and remarkable longevity.
Heritage & Leadership
Comte Armand traces its origins to 1828 when Nicolas Marey, who had married Caroline Armand, acquired the Clos des Epeneaux vineyard in Pommard. The estate has remained in the Armand family for nearly two centuries, making it one of Burgundy's most historically consistent domaines. The property passed through generations of the Armand family with minimal fragmentation, unusual in a region where Napoleonic inheritance laws typically divided estates.
A turning point came in 1985 when the domaine appointed Canadian Pascal Marchand as régisseur (manager), who oversaw operations until 1998. Benjamin Leroux then took the helm from 1999 to 2014, continuing the domaine's evolution. Since 2014, Paul Zinetti has directed winemaking and vineyard management, maintaining continuity while implementing his own refinements. Throughout these transitions, the Armand family has maintained ownership while entrusting daily operations to these skilled managers.
The domaine's cornerstone remains the Clos des Epeneaux, a 5.5-hectare walled monopole in Pommard that has been under single ownership since the French Revolution—a rarity in fragmented Burgundy. This historical continuity has allowed for consistent long-term vineyard management and a deep understanding of this specific terroir.
Vineyards & Wines
Comte Armand's holdings center on the Clos des Epeneaux, a 5.5-hectare monopole Premier Cru vineyard in Pommard. This walled vineyard sits on the northern edge of Pommard, bordering Beaune, with soils transitioning from clay-dominant at the bottom to limestone-rich at higher elevations. The vineyard's elevation ranges from 230 to 280 meters above sea level with primarily eastern exposure.
The domaine's vineyard portfolio extends beyond Pommard to include parcels in Auxey-Duresses (both village and Premier Cru) and Volnay. In Auxey-Duresses, they manage approximately 4 hectares split between village-level plots and the Premier Cru vineyard of Climat du Val. Their Volnay holdings include a small parcel in the Premier Cru Les Fremiets.
Vine age varies significantly across the domaine, with some sections of the Clos des Epeneaux containing vines planted after phylloxera in the early 20th century, while others were replanted in the 1980s. This diversity of vine age contributes to the complexity of the final wines, particularly in the Clos des Epeneaux, which is often vinified in separate parcels before final blending.
The domaine produces primarily red wines from Pinot Noir, with a small production of white wine from Chardonnay in Auxey-Duresses. Annual production varies with vintage conditions but typically yields approximately 30,000 bottles across all appellations.
Philosophy & Practice
Comte Armand converted to organic viticulture in the 1980s under Pascal Marchand's direction, receiving official certification in the 1990s. The domaine further embraced biodynamic practices and received Demeter certification in 2005. These approaches include the elimination of synthetic chemicals, use of cover crops, and application of biodynamic preparations according to the lunar calendar.
In the winery, Comte Armand employs traditional Burgundian techniques with modern precision. Fermentation occurs in wooden vats with varying percentages of whole clusters depending on the vintage and vineyard—typically higher for the Clos des Epeneaux (50-100%) and more moderate for other wines. Indigenous yeasts conduct fermentation, with gentle extraction methods including light punch-downs and pump-overs adjusted to each vintage's characteristics.
Aging protocols follow traditional Burgundian methods, with wines matured in French oak barrels. The percentage of new oak varies by wine and vintage: approximately 30-50% for Clos des Epeneaux, 25-30% for other Premier Crus, and 15-25% for village wines. Aging duration typically spans 18-22 months for the Clos des Epeneaux and 16-18 months for other wines.
The domaine practices minimal intervention during élevage, with racking limited to once or twice during the aging period. Wines are bottled without fining and with only light filtration when necessary. This combination of traditional methods and precise execution reflects the domaine's commitment to expressing the distinct character of each vineyard site while maintaining the structural integrity that allows their wines to develop over decades.