The 2005 Pommard Clos des Epeneaux is a rather controversial wine. Benjamin Leroux was not as enthused by the vintage as others. “We went for more extraction to see how far we could go,” he rued, “It is not a wine that I hate. But it is not a wine that I love.” I concur. It has a youthful nose of quite powerful, almost burly black fruit laced with iodine and dried petals, that is nicely focused. The palate is full-bodied and sinewy, with layers of spicy red and black fruit and a dash of white pepper and cloves. Though it offers impressive dimension, it is exactly that – more impressive than pleasurable, and there is a distinct lack of finesse and terroir expression toward the finish. A Clos des Epeneaux showing off? Drink 2015-2025. This tasting was organized by UK importer Howard Ripley Ltd. Ticket was paid in full by The Wine Advocate.