Domaine Ponsot : Corton Grand cru "Cuvée du Bourdon" 2021

Tasting notes and serving tips for the Corton Grand Cru "Cuvée du Bourdon" 2021 from Domaine Ponsot

Tasting

Color

The color shows a moderately intense ruby hue, typical of a young Pinot Noir made with measured extraction.

Nose

The bouquet initially appears restrained, requiring aeration to gradually reveal its aromas. Notes of black cherry and plum then emerge, lifted by subtle floral hints of violet. Mineral and earthy nuances, reflecting Corton’s marl-limestone soils, harmoniously round out the aromatic profile.

Palate

On the palate, the wine is broad and well-structured, offering a remarkable silky texture. The tannins, of exceptional finesse, speak to perfect ripeness and well-managed aging in old barrels. The mineral backbone brings clarity and precision, while a refreshing acidity stimulates salivation. The elegant finish confirms the delicate, finely bred character of this grand cru.

Food and wine pairings

This Corton Grand Cru pairs beautifully with roast poultry and white meats in sauce. It also matches excellently with mushroom-based dishes, notably preparations with morels or porcini. Lightly structured red meats, such as herb-crusted beef tenderloin, also make a harmonious pairing. For cheese lovers, opt for a well-aged Comté or an Époisses de Bourgogne.

Serving and cellaring

Serve the Corton Grand Cru "Cuvée du Bourdon" 2021 at a temperature between 15 and 17°C to fully appreciate its aromatic complexity. Opening it one hour before serving will allow the wine to express itself further. This wine can be enjoyed now but will continue to develop until around 2031.

A Burgundian Corton Grand Cru combining finesse and mineral elegance

The estate

Founded in 1872 by William Ponsot in Morey-Saint-Denis, Domaine Ponsot is now one of Burgundy’s essential benchmarks. For five generations, the family has upheld a winegrowing philosophy centered on respect for terroirs and minimal intervention. Rose-Marie Ponsot currently runs the estate, supported by winemaker Alexandre Abel. The domaine farms around eleven hectares of vines, primarily in grands crus and premiers crus of the Côte de Nuits. A pioneer of estate bottling as early as 1921, Domaine Ponsot stands out for its environmentally respectful practices and its consistent refusal to filter.

The vineyard

The Corton Grand Cru "Cuvée du Bourdon" comes from 0.6 hectares spread across three distinct climats within the Corton appellation, located in the Côte de Beaune: 60% of the grapes come from Les Paulands, 20% from Perrières and 20% from Clos du Roy. The vines, around thirty years old, benefit from well-established roots, allowing a profound expression of the terroir. This mosaic of parcels brings complexity and balance to the finished wine.

The vintage

The 2021 vintage in Burgundy proved particularly demanding, marked by contrasting weather conditions. Devastating hail episodes struck certain areas of the Côte de Nuits with unprecedented severity, drastically reducing yields in several appellations. Despite these challenges, the Corton hillside enjoyed relative protection thanks to its warmer microclimate and favorable exposures. Harvest began early on September 28, 2021, around two weeks ahead of normal. The picked grapes showed remarkable concentration and exceptional aromatic purity, enabling the production of wines of great finesse despite the vintage’s difficulties.

Vinification and aging

The Corton Grand Cru "Cuvée du Bourdon" 2021 is vinified according to Domaine Ponsot’s traditional methods, favoring minimal intervention. After full destemming, the grapes ferment in open vats with indigenous yeasts. Aging takes place exclusively in oak barrels ranging from five to thirty years old, avoiding overly marked oak notes and preserving the pure expression of the terroir. Only one racking is carried out, generally after about one year. The wine is neither fined nor filtered before bottling, thus retaining all its integrity and natural complexity.

Grape variety

100% Pinot Noir