At a glance

Producer

Domaine Ballot-Millot & Fils

Region

Pommard 1er Cru La Refène, Côte de Beaune, Burgundy, France

Grape variety

Pinot Noir

Wine type

Red

Body

Medium-bodied and Earthy

Sweetness

Dry

Typical price

$90-$140 USD (approximate retail, 2024 pricing)

Tasting profile

Red cherry, cranberry, wild strawberry, earthy undertones, subtle spice and gentle oak; youthful with grippy tannins

Evolution: Will develop savory, forest floor, sous-bois and iron/mineral notes; fruit will mature into darker cherry and dried red berries

At peak: Elegant secondary complexity, integrated tannin, deep umami nuance, classic refined Pommard aromatics

Structure

Acidity

Bright, fresh and supporting medium-term aging

Tannins

Firm and present, moderate to high for Côte de Beaune

Alcohol

13%-13.5% ABV (typical for Burgundy 2021)

Aging potential

15-20 years from vintage in optimal storage

Drinking window

Peak drinking

2029 to 2046

Optimal window

2026 to 2049

Current status

Ready to drink

Current condition

Tightly wound structure, bright fruit and marked tannin, best with some aeration if opened now

2021 Pommard 1er Cru La Refène from Ballot-Millot & Fils is a structured, traditionally styled wine from a cool vintage. Its balance of acidity and tannin means it needs additional time for optimal drinking, especially given the site’s reputation for robust, long-lived Pinot Noir.

Food pairing

Roast game birds, duck breast with cherry sauce, earthy mushroom dishes, truffled poultry, beef bourguignon, aged Comté cheese

Serving

Serving temperature

16-18°C / 61-64°F

Decant

Yes (1-2 hours) — To soften tannins, aerate young Pinot Noir and bring out aromatic complexity

Sustainability

Sustainability score: 7/10

Ballot-Millot & Fils employs lutte raisonnée (reasoned viticulture), minimizing chemical treatments, hand-harvesting, extensive sorting, and careful vineyard management. Grass cover crops and soil health practices are reported. No synthetic herbicides. Solar energy for winery use has been partially implemented. Reductive packaging (lightweight glass) generally not a focus for Burgundy, but eco-friendly corks are used.

Ballot-Millot & Fils is not certified organic but demonstrates a strong commitment to sustainable, minimal-intervention practices in vineyard and cellar. HVE Level 3 attests to robust environmental policy, biodiversity, and input management, but there is room to improve packaging solutions or gain organic/biodynamic status. The small estate and local supply chain help moderate the carbon impact, though export shipping can increase footprint for non-European consumers.