Domaine de la Pousse d'Or Clos de la Roche Grand Cru 2019

There’s a lot of history behind La Pousse d’Or, which mutated from “Bousse d’Or” (“golden earth”) to “Pousse” over the centuries—although the “B” is still used for the historic “Clos de la Bousse d’Or” vineyard, one of the estate’s three Premier Cru monopoles (one-owner vineyards) in Volnay. Although these vineyards and the cellars go back to the time of the Cistercian monks in Burgundy, the modern era of La Pousse d’Or (1960s-1990s) was shaped by the legendary Gérard Potel, from whom Landanger purchased the property in ’97. Landanger had been in the manufacturing business but has since jumped headlong into wine, studying enology in Beaune and investing not only in facilities but, more critically, vineyards—he didn’t just buy vineyards (increasing the estate’s total holdings to 46 acres), but implemented organic and biodynamic farming practices, achieving Demeter certification in 2018. This is a very serious operation making very serious wines, and they’re doing it the right way!