Launay Horiot is a domaine both new and old. Old in that the Horiots have grown vines since the 1700s, settling in Pommard in the 1800s, and relatively new in that owner and winemaker Xavier Horiot’s first vintage was 2014.
Xavier Horiot is a former fighter pilot who switched the French Air Force for the vineyards of Pommard. A long fought-out legal battle between Horiot and his aunt over inheritance of the domaine nearly led to its demise though he was finally granted ownership of what was left - 4.5 hectares of vineyards - in 2011. The first three vintages were sold off in bulk as Horiot renovated the cuverie, regenerated the vineyard, bought equipment and learned his trade.
It did not take long before critics took note of the quality here – Allen Meadows writing on Horiot’s 2015s: “it's difficult to know whether the superb quality I found in 2015 is attributed to beginner's luck or whether he is simply a gifted winemaker. Either way, these are some of the best wines for their levels that I tasted and they're highly recommended”.
Neal Martin visited the domaine for the first time last year. He writes “After a strong showing at the blind Burgfest tasting, I made Horiot’s wine one of my port-of-calls and am glad I did. These are wonderful, expressive, very pure wines at the heart of which lie impressive Pommards.”
We are currently listing an impressive spread of these equally impressive wines, many of them discounted in our July sale. We have some stock available for immediate delivery with the balance due to land with us in the coming fortnight.
