2020 Côte de Nuits

This old vine parcel of Clos de Vougeot comes from two parcels in the Clos: one third from the Petits Maupertuis, next to Grands Echezeaux, and the rest from the parcel next to Grivot’s, just below Château de La Tour. It has a distinctly dark, brooding fruit profile, its muscular tannins drenched in cassis. Clos de Vougeot excelled in 2019, and this is yet another superb example. The vineyard’s propensity for large frame and broad structure are the perfect template for 2019’s ripe and lively fruit. This has a dialled-up intensity, and should age for decades.

This is a bright and lively, salty and fruity white from the cool, chalky-soiled village of Saint-Romain. Notes of pear and blossom on the nose are followed on the palate by a bright freshness and juicy length.

This can proudly lay claim as the only Premier Cru Aligoté in Burgundy. It’s an unusual wine that has gained a loyal following over the years, and deservedly so, not just for its niche appeal, but also for its superb quality, texture, and freshness. 30% of the blend comes from younger vines, whilst 70% is drawn from the vines planted in 1911. It offers up gorgeous acidity, lively fresh fruit flavours and silky flow in its youth. With age the wine can develop a complex curry/spiced orange character not unlike an old Chenin Blanc or Riesling. A remarkable wine.

This is the most flamboyant, exotically perfumed, and heady of the Ponsot white wines. It has a creamy, silken texture, and delicious greengage and orange blossom notes on the palate. It comes from two parcels, Languettes and Le Charlemagne, and in 2019 it is peachy and delightful, both rich and zesty.

This comes from the premier cru part of the Monts Luisants parcel. The domaine chooses not to use that name on the label to avoid confusion with their unusual and lauded Aligoté from there. The vines sit just above Clos de la Roche, and this wine shares some of the grand cru’s muscular power and tension, with a zesty, lively fruit drive. Spicy and finely balanced.

This is a blend of three vineyards from the hill of Corton: 60% Les Paulands, 20% Les Perrières and 20% Clos du Roi. It has an enticing fruit profile that is both juicy and tight, with a defined and elegant finesse. Alexandre explained that he keeps the fermentation temperature a little lower than on the Clos de la Roche, wanting to retain the vibrant fresh red fruits. His technique pays dividends in this superb Côte de Beaune grand cru in 2019 which is expressive, driven, and complete.

Like many neighbours who also have vines in Mazoyères-Chambertin, Domaine Ponsot have always used the permitted label of neighbouring Charmes-Chambertin for this cuvée. The 2019 has a sweetly spiced and floral nose, and a palate that delivers finesse and juicy length alongside fresh structure and taut minerality. Wonderful.

The Monts Luisants vineyard spans village, premier and grand cru (Clos de la Roche) in the commune of Morey-St-Denis. Cuvée des Grives comes from the highest part of the vineyard (around 350m), designated village level. Here, at the top of this hill, tucked just beneath the forest, is the coolest part of the vineyard, and the vines dig deep into the cool Comblanchian limestone. The 2019 has a wonderful ripeness and depth, and a marked vibrant acidity; a kind of sweet/sour character that gives it great appeal. Certainly more than your average village wine.

This draws on a high proportion of young vines, and is one of the earlier drinking in the Ponsot cellar, though it will of course mature with interest if you choose to lay it down. It has a deep fruit core, and such a juicy expression, thanks to the domaine’s low yields and high ripeness levels.

This Chapelle is a highlight in the Ponsot cellar in 2019: bursting with red currants and cranberries, with a lively intensity and zippy energy. Light on its feet, but with lithe power and melting tannins. It is a lesson in classical Pinot nobility, unadorned by oak or winemaking overtones.

This is the pinnacle of the Ponsot cellar: their most famous and emblematic cuvée, and the one most demanding of time in the cellar. It comes from two parcels: the first is from the Monts Luisants part of the vineyard, which is home to both the oldest (some are over 80 years old) and youngest vines in the blend. The tannins of Monts Luisants are structural and firm, and will gain in tenderness with age. The rest comes from the original Clos de la Roche parcel in the heart of the hillside, which adds expressive fruit to the blend. Less dense on the palate, but with a lithe and silky fruit core, it brings a perfect balance to the finished wine. In all, the cuvée draws from 3.4 hectares, and is vinified in 5 separate tanks. They continue through their élévage as distinct parts, only blended towards the end before bottling. The finished assemblage is one of profound complexity and depth, offering up violets, peonies, cassis, red currants, iodine, blood orange, and smoky spice. And through all this fruit concentration, the wine retains an arresting freshness. This is a staggering wine of utter brilliance, rich and resplendent.

This is the pinnacle of the Ponsot cellar: their most famous and emblematic cuvée, and the one most demanding of time in the cellar. It comes from two parcels: the first is from the Monts Luisants part of the vineyard, which is home to both the oldest (some are over 80 years old) and youngest vines in the blend. The tannins of Monts Luisants are structural and firm, and will gain in tenderness with age. The rest comes from the original Clos de la Roche parcel in the heart of the hillside, which adds expressive fruit to the blend. Less dense on the palate, but with a lithe and silky fruit core, it brings a perfect balance to the finished wine. In all, the cuvée draws from 3.4 hectares, and is vinified in 5 separate tanks. They continue through their élévage as distinct parts, only blended towards the end before bottling. The finished assemblage is one of profound complexity and depth, offering up violets, peonies, cassis, red currants, iodine, blood orange, and smoky spice. And through all this fruit concentration, the wine retains an arresting freshness. This is a staggering wine of utter brilliance, rich and resplendent.