Ponsot
About Domaine Ponsot
Founded by a soldier returning home from the Franco-Prussian War in 1872, radical thinking and revolutionary ideas seem to be something of a family trait. The current eccentric Ponsot at the helm of this fabulous estate is Laurent, who is making wildly unique yet utterly Burgundian wines from some of the finest Grands Crus in the entire region.
The Winemaking
Although classified as neither biodynamic nor organic, he uses no insecticide or pesticide on his vines that are an average of 50 years old. To ensure quality, the label is unique for having a white spot that turns grey if the bottle has been subjected to extreme temperatures.
Laurent Ponsot studies the moon and the stars (he is not an astronomer), and their effect on the rhythm of life in the vineyards. A holistic approach that sees him lean heavily towards low intervention winemaking techniques to respect this natural harmony. The faintest touch of sulfur is afforded to the grapes upon picking if absolutely necessary, and there is no sorting table in his winery. Once pressed, the liquid is essentially allowed to ferment whenever it wishes for as long as it wishes. Once the wines have achieved the requisite state of their own accord, they may or may not be racked in the following spring or summer depending on the cycle of the moon.
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Wine Advocate (89-91)
The 2012 Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru les Charmes has a lovely, well-defined, vibrant bouquet with brambly black and red fruit – blackcurrant pastilles emerging with aeration in the glass. The palate is firm in the mouth with good backbone. Plenty of clean and pure black fruit with dash of black pepper sprinkled lightly on the masculine but long finish. Fine.Inc. VAT£1,453.24 -
Wine Advocate (93-95)
The 2012 Chapelle-Chambertin Grand Cru is tighter and more laconic on the nose compared to the Griotte, which is usual. With a little encouragement there is just a suggestion of brine, something from the deep dark sea. The palate is fresh and vibrant right from the start with fine tannins, very smooth in the mouth with impressive density and weight. This is a vin de garde for sure, with a lovely touch of white pepper lingering on the aftertaste.Inc. VAT£2,703.64 -
Wine Advocate (96)
Tasted blind at the annual Burgfest tasting in Beaune. The 2012 Clos de la Roche Vieilles Vignes Grand Cru from Laurent Ponsot has an extravagant, generous nose with hints of kirsch and raisin infusing the cranberry and blueberry fruit. Fortunately it does seem to calm down in the glass, rein in some of that nascent enthusiasm. The palate is sweet on the entry with red fruit, marmalade and dried orange peel. This is a grand cru that just wants to go out and please, a sexy Pinot Noir that does not hold back, which is what you want from this grand cru. This is a tempting offering, so much so that it is easy to overlook its pedigree.Inc. VAT£4,447.24 -
Wine Advocate (96)
Tasted blind at the annual Burgfest tasting in Beaune. The 2012 Clos de la Roche Vieilles Vignes Grand Cru from Laurent Ponsot has an extravagant, generous nose with hints of kirsch and raisin infusing the cranberry and blueberry fruit. Fortunately it does seem to calm down in the glass, rein in some of that nascent enthusiasm. The palate is sweet on the entry with red fruit, marmalade and dried orange peel. This is a grand cru that just wants to go out and please, a sexy Pinot Noir that does not hold back, which is what you want from this grand cru. This is a tempting offering, so much so that it is easy to overlook its pedigree.Inc. VAT£3,771.64 -
Jancis Robinson (18)
From Corton-Paulands, but it includes Corton-Bressandes in 2012. Lip-smacking nose – very appealing. Masses of ripe fruit and juice. Lots of energy and fruity excitement. Crackling impact. Much more vital than the average Corton.Inc. VAT£1,352.44 -
Wine Advocate (90)
Tasted blind at the annual Burgfest tasting in Beaune. The 2012 Griotte Chambertin Grand Cru from Laurent Ponsot has a voluminous nose, though there is a stalky element that is not totally combined with the black and red fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp tannin, quite linear in the mouth, structured but like the Griotte-Chambertin 2012 from Réné Leclerc, it seems to be lacking some flesh and charm towards the finish. That said, it does develop in the glass, offering hidden notes of blueberry and a hint of crème de cassis, so I would advise not broaching a bottle for two or three years.Inc. VAT£2,626.84 -
Wine Advocate (90-92)
The 2012 Morey-Saint-Denis Cuvee des Allouettes, which comes from within the Mont Luisants vineyard, has a quite precocious bouquet with blackcurrant, boysenberry and light Hoi Sin scents that unfold nicely in the glass. The palate is solid and dense with firm, quite grippy tannins. There is plenty of energy and tension here with touches of spice and soy lining the ebullient finish. Excellent.Inc. VAT£1,114.84 -
Inc. VAT£535.49
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Wine Advocate (89-91)
The 2012 Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru les Charmes has a lovely, well-defined, vibrant bouquet with brambly black and red fruit – blackcurrant pastilles emerging with aeration in the glass. The palate is firm in the mouth with good backbone. Plenty of clean and pure black fruit with dash of black pepper sprinkled lightly on the masculine but long finish. Fine.In Bond£1,195.00 -
Wine Advocate (93-95)
The 2012 Chapelle-Chambertin Grand Cru is tighter and more laconic on the nose compared to the Griotte, which is usual. With a little encouragement there is just a suggestion of brine, something from the deep dark sea. The palate is fresh and vibrant right from the start with fine tannins, very smooth in the mouth with impressive density and weight. This is a vin de garde for sure, with a lovely touch of white pepper lingering on the aftertaste.In Bond£2,237.00 -
Wine Advocate (96)
Tasted blind at the annual Burgfest tasting in Beaune. The 2012 Clos de la Roche Vieilles Vignes Grand Cru from Laurent Ponsot has an extravagant, generous nose with hints of kirsch and raisin infusing the cranberry and blueberry fruit. Fortunately it does seem to calm down in the glass, rein in some of that nascent enthusiasm. The palate is sweet on the entry with red fruit, marmalade and dried orange peel. This is a grand cru that just wants to go out and please, a sexy Pinot Noir that does not hold back, which is what you want from this grand cru. This is a tempting offering, so much so that it is easy to overlook its pedigree.In Bond£3,690.00 -
Wine Advocate (96)
Tasted blind at the annual Burgfest tasting in Beaune. The 2012 Clos de la Roche Vieilles Vignes Grand Cru from Laurent Ponsot has an extravagant, generous nose with hints of kirsch and raisin infusing the cranberry and blueberry fruit. Fortunately it does seem to calm down in the glass, rein in some of that nascent enthusiasm. The palate is sweet on the entry with red fruit, marmalade and dried orange peel. This is a grand cru that just wants to go out and please, a sexy Pinot Noir that does not hold back, which is what you want from this grand cru. This is a tempting offering, so much so that it is easy to overlook its pedigree.In Bond£3,127.00 -
Jancis Robinson (18)
From Corton-Paulands, but it includes Corton-Bressandes in 2012. Lip-smacking nose – very appealing. Masses of ripe fruit and juice. Lots of energy and fruity excitement. Crackling impact. Much more vital than the average Corton.In Bond£1,111.00 -
Wine Advocate (90)
Tasted blind at the annual Burgfest tasting in Beaune. The 2012 Griotte Chambertin Grand Cru from Laurent Ponsot has a voluminous nose, though there is a stalky element that is not totally combined with the black and red fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp tannin, quite linear in the mouth, structured but like the Griotte-Chambertin 2012 from Réné Leclerc, it seems to be lacking some flesh and charm towards the finish. That said, it does develop in the glass, offering hidden notes of blueberry and a hint of crème de cassis, so I would advise not broaching a bottle for two or three years.In Bond£2,173.00 -
Wine Advocate (90-92)
The 2012 Morey-Saint-Denis Cuvee des Allouettes, which comes from within the Mont Luisants vineyard, has a quite precocious bouquet with blackcurrant, boysenberry and light Hoi Sin scents that unfold nicely in the glass. The palate is solid and dense with firm, quite grippy tannins. There is plenty of energy and tension here with touches of spice and soy lining the ebullient finish. Excellent.In Bond£913.00 -
In Bond£427.00