2021 Domaine Ponsot, Clos de la Roche Grand Cru Cuvée Vieilles Vignes, Morey-Saint-Denis, France (jeroboam)

From 3.2 hectares of Clos de la Roche, with vines averaging 65 years old, rooted in lean clay and limestone over a hard limestone base. Domaine Ponsot’s Cuvée Vieilles Vignes marries the Grand Cru’s natural power and depth with remarkable elegance, freshness, and exceptionally silky tannins. Fully destemmed, naturally fermented and aged for 18 months in seasoned French oak, the wine preserves a pure expression of vineyard and vintage.

96 points, Tim Atkin MW
“The combined vines from the historic clos (two-thirds) and the Monts Luisants sector (one-third) produced a meager 8 hl/ha. The aromas are high-toned with red currants and cranberries and blanketed with tea leaves and savory spice. The zippy acidity does the heavy structural lifting as the fine tannins hover on the sidelines. Supremely elegant.”

95 points, Decanter
“A masterful rendition of the Clos de la Roche, made at the expense of tiny yields (9hl/ha). The dark plummy fruit is a bit closed and tightly wound up with hints of mineral and earth, but it will doubtless unspool in the bottle with time. The feel on the palate is similarly a bit hard, but there is dense extract here, along with a firm tannic structure and impressive length. With a bit of coaxing in the glass, one sees the great potential of this vintage.”

94-96 points, Jasper Morris
“13 barrels have been made from 3ha30 which means a measly 9hl/ha. Another fine deep imperial purple, with an additional glossiness over and above the Morey Alouettes. This bears all the hallmarks of a fine Clos de la Roche, enough fruit and perfect ripeness, just enough acidity, greater persistence with a few tannins to provide the structure. This will stand up extremely well in the future. Fine persistence. Drink from 2030-2040. Tasted: November 2022.”

• France – Morey-Saint-Denis, Côte de Nuits, Burgundy • Domaine Ponsot is a Burgundy icon, producing collectible Grand Cru Pinot Noirs of purity and longevity. Founded in 1872, Domaine Ponsot is one of Burgundy’s legendary estates, celebrated for its uncompromising philosophy and exceptional holdings in Morey-Saint-Denis and beyond. Laurent Ponsot led the domaine for decades, pioneering both quality practices and anti-fraud innovations in the fine wine world. The estate’s portfolio includes iconic Grand Crus such as Clos de la Roche, Clos Saint-Denis, and Chapelle-Chambertin. The wines are known for their purity, transparency, and capacity to age, often made with minimal intervention and a focus on whole-cluster fermentation. They balance richness with a lifted, aromatic quality that reflects both site and vintage. Morey-Saint-Denis lies between Gevrey-Chambertin and Chambolle-Musigny, and Ponsot’s wines embody this middle ground: structured yet elegant, powerful yet perfumed. The domaine’s Grand and Premier Crus stand among the most collectible in Burgundy.