Domaine Ponsot : Chapelle-Chambertin Grand cru 2021

Tasting characteristics and advice for the Chapelle-Chambertin Grand Cru 2021 from Domaine Ponsot

Tasting

Appearance

With its pale, brilliant ruby hue characteristic of the 2021 vintage, this delicate colour—far from suggesting any weakness—reveals crystalline clarity and remarkable luminosity, reflecting the precision of the vineyard work and the vintage’s finesse.

Nose

The aromatic bouquet charms with its purity and refinement. It reveals notes of redcurrant, raspberry and rose petals, complemented by nuances of wet stone and subtle spice. This aromatic complexity aptly expresses the limestone character of the Chapelle-Chambertin terroir while also reflecting the estate’s choices in natural winemaking.

Palate

On the palate, this grand cru stands out for its remarkably delicate, silky tannins that create a smooth, seamless texture. Bright, lively acidity structures the whole with elegance, giving the wine exceptional persistence. The body remains light to medium, favouring finesse over power. The finish lingers at length on crystalline mineral notes, leaving an impression of purity and precision.

Food and wine pairings

This Chapelle-Chambertin Grand Cru 2021 pairs beautifully with feathered game such as pheasant or partridge, as well as ground game like deer or roe deer, especially when prepared in a wine sauce with mushrooms or chestnuts. It also harmonises with roast duck, braised red meats and characterful soft cheeses.

Serving and cellaring

It is recommended to serve this Chapelle-Chambertin Grand Cru 2021 at a temperature between 12 and 14°C. While enjoyable now, this wine will benefit from extended ageing, allowing it to develop even greater aromatic complexity over the decades.

A Burgundy grand cru combining delicacy and minerality

The estate

Founded in 1872 in Morey-Saint-Denis by William Ponsot, Domaine Ponsot embodies more than 150 years of winemaking excellence in Burgundy. Now led by Rose-Marie Ponsot with technical support from Alexandre Abel since 2017, this family-run estate has established itself as one of the Côte de Nuits’ most respected producers. A pioneer of estate bottling as early as 1934 and a major contributor to Pinot Noir clonal selection, Domaine Ponsot stands out for its philosophy of minimal intervention and deep respect for terroir. The estate notably owns the largest parcel in Clos de la Roche Grand Cru, spanning 3.31 hectares.

The vineyard

Chapelle-Chambertin is a prestigious vineyard within the Gevrey-Chambertin appellation, recognised as a Grand Cru since 31 July 1937. Domaine Ponsot farms 0.5 hectares of this exceptional terroir, planted exclusively to Pinot Noir at a density of 11,000 vines per hectare. The vines, around 35 to 40 years old at the time of the 2021 vintage, grow on thin clay-limestone soils over a bedrock of crinoidal limestone. This distinctive soil profile, inherited from the region’s marine origins during the Jurassic period, gives the wines their signature minerality. Yields are deliberately limited to 35 hectolitres per hectare.

The vintage

The 2021 vintage in Burgundy proved especially challenging and unusual. Three consecutive nights of severe frost from 6 to 8 April, with temperatures dropping to between -5 and -6°C, followed an unseasonably warm spell in March that had encouraged early budbreak. This climatic disaster led to massive losses and drastically reduced yields across the region. The vines were forced to produce a second, later flowering. Despite these extreme conditions, the grapes ultimately harvested showed remarkable phenolic concentration and preserved balance, producing wines that are lighter and fresher than in previous vintages, reminiscent of the classic style of the 2001 vintage.

Winemaking and ageing

The grapes for Chapelle-Chambertin Grand Cru 2021 are harvested by hand and then fully destemmed. Fermentation takes place in traditional wooden vats with temperature control, using exclusively the natural yeasts present on the grape skins, with no addition of commercial strains. Ageing lasts 16 to 24 months in French oak barrels with an average age of 20 years, an approach that preserves the pure expression of terroir without adding oaky flavours. The wine is neither racked nor filtered during this period, allowing extended contact with the lees.

Grape variety

100% Pinot Noir