Domaine Ponsot : Clos de la Roche Grand cru "Cuvée Vieilles Vignes" 2020

Tasting characteristics and advice for Clos de la Roche Grand Cru "Cuvée Vieilles Vignes" 2020 from Domaine Ponsot

Tasting

Appearance

The wine shows a deep red hue.

Nose

The nose reveals remarkable aromatic complexity with menthol notes alongside ripe blackcurrant, black raspberry, violet and crushed fennel. Aromas of dark berries mingle with sweet spices, licorice, smoky notes and orange zest.

Palate

The palate is powerful and muscular, with a broad attack giving way to a generous core of fruit framed by rich, powdery tannins and bright acidity. The structure is assertive, with tight-knit tannins and a saline freshness that bring tension. The long, resonant finish highlights great depth.

Food and wine pairings

This Grand Cru pairs perfectly with grilled or roasted red meats, dishes made with dried mushrooms, coq au vin, or braised meats in sauce. It also goes very well with aged cheeses such as Gruyère.

Serving and cellaring

Clos de la Roche Grand Cru "Cuvée Vieilles Vignes" 2020 can be enjoyed until around 2060. Decanting is recommended to fully appreciate its aromatic complexity.

A powerful, profound Burgundy Grand Cru from Domaine Ponsot

The estate

Founded in 1872 by William Ponsot, Domaine Ponsot is an iconic benchmark of Morey-Saint-Denis in Burgundy. A pioneer of estate bottling as early as 1921, the estate now covers around 11 hectares. Since 2017, Rose-Marie Ponsot has run the property alongside Alexandra Abel, technical director. The estate stands out for its philosophy of natural winemaking without fining or filtration, its total absence of new oak, and its commitment to sustainable farming. Owner of the largest holding in Clos de la Roche with 3.5 hectares, Domaine Ponsot has upheld for 150 years an approach that respects the terroir and natural processes.

The vineyard

Clos de la Roche is a Grand Cru located on the northern slope of Morey-Saint-Denis, at an altitude between 250 and 300 meters. This 13.41-hectare vineyard takes its name from a rock once used by the Celts for rituals. The soils are made up of lean clay mixed with limestone scree resting on a base of fine Premeaux and Comblanchien limestone. This demanding geology gives the wines a distinctive mineral structure and outstanding aging potential. Domaine Ponsot’s vines in Clos de la Roche average 65 years of age, resulting from replantings carried out in 1954 using massal selection. The grapes come two-thirds from the original climat "Clos de la Roche" and one-third from the foot of the slope in "Clos des Monts-Luisants".

The vintage

The 2020 vintage in Burgundy was marked by a mild winter followed by a spring with cool temperatures in March and then a rapid warming in April, running about a week ahead of the usual calendar. May recorded temperatures 3.5 degrees above seasonal averages. June remained dry with high temperatures, while July and August saw a few beneficial storms without destructive hail. A period of moderate heat between August 6 and 15, combined with cool nights, enabled optimal ripening, preserving tartaric acidity while reducing malic acidity. Harvest began in late August, earlier than usual, but the total length of the growing cycle remained close to the traditional 100 days, creating ideal conditions to produce structured, mineral and fresh wines.

Winemaking and aging

The grapes for Clos de la Roche Grand Cru "Cuvée Vieilles Vignes" 2020 are harvested by hand into wicker baskets and then transferred into small crates. A rigorous sorting is carried out several times: in the vineyard before harvest, during picking, and in the cellar if necessary. The bunches are destemmed but not crushed, then moved by gravity into temperature-controlled wooden vats. Fermentation is carried out with indigenous yeasts without strict temperature control. Aging takes place for 18 months in exclusively older French oak barrels, averaging 20 years in age, with no new barrels used. The wine is neither fined nor filtered, thus preserving all of its natural complexity.

Grape variety

100% Pinot Noir