Domaine Ponsot : Morey-Saint-Denis 1er cru "Cuvée des Alouettes" 2021

Characteristics and tasting advice for the Morey-Saint-Denis 1er Cru "Cuvée des Alouettes" 2021 from Domaine Ponsot

Tasting

Color

The color displays a brilliant ruby-red hue.

Nose

The nose reveals beautiful aromatic complexity, with notes of red and black fruits, plum, milk chocolate, spice and orange zest. Floral nuances and hints of anise add further depth to the bouquet.

Palate

On the palate, this wine shows a broad, fleshy texture while retaining remarkable freshness. Flavors of black and red fruits emerge with concentration and depth. A saline minerality, the hallmark of the limestone terroir, brings tension and precision. The tannins are fine and firm, shaping a persistent, complex finish.

Food and wine pairings

This Morey-Saint-Denis 1er Cru pairs perfectly with duck breast, roasted poultry, veal and delicate red meats. It also matches beautifully with mushroom dishes and aged cheeses such as Gruyère.

Serving and cellaring

The Morey-Saint-Denis 1er Cru "Cuvée des Alouettes" 2021 can be enjoyed now after decanting for about an hour. It is recommended to serve it at a temperature between 16 and 18°C. This wine offers cellaring potential of at least around 10 to 20 years.

A Morey-Saint-Denis premier cru of mineral elegance and fine concentration

The estate

Founded in 1872 by William Ponsot in Morey-Saint-Denis, Domaine Ponsot now spans around 11 hectares in the heart of the Côte de Nuits in Bourgogne. Run since 2017 by Rose-Marie Ponsot, with Alexandre Abel as Technical Director, the estate remains entirely family-owned. Renowned for its natural winemaking philosophy, with minimal sulfur use and a complete absence of new barrels, Domaine Ponsot is the largest owner of the grand cru Clos de la Roche. The estate stands out for its longstanding commitment to sustainable viticulture and the pure expression of Burgundian terroir.

The vineyard

The Morey-Saint-Denis 1er Cru "Cuvée des Alouettes" comes from a one-hectare plot located at the heart of Clos des Monts-Luisants, just one meter from the grand cru Clos de la Roche. Planted in 1990, the vines are 23 to 30 years old and benefit from a planting density of 11,000 vines per hectare. The soil is composed of lean limestone clay with limestone scree resting on a base of Comblanchien limestone. This composition gives the wine its signature minerality and refined texture. The vineyard’s altitude and exposure encourage optimal ripening of the grapes while preserving aromatic freshness.

The vintage

The 2021 vintage in Bourgogne was marked by a mild winter followed by a spring frost episode. Veraison occurred early despite a difficult start to the season. Harvesting took place just two days later than in lower-altitude areas, making it possible to pick grapes at optimal ripeness before unfavorable weather conditions arrived. Yields were exceptionally low, reaching only 8 hectoliters per hectare, which notably concentrated the quality of the grapes.

Winemaking and aging

The Morey-Saint-Denis 1er Cru "Cuvée des Alouettes" 2021 is vinified according to Domaine Ponsot’s principles, favoring minimal intervention. Hand-harvesting in small crates is followed by meticulous sorting in the vineyard. Fermentation takes place naturally in traditional open wooden vats with punch-downs. Aging is carried out exclusively in French oak barrels at least five years old, averaging fifteen to twenty years of age, for sixteen to twenty-four months. Only one racking is performed during this period. The wine is neither filtered nor fined, thereby preserving its full authenticity and complexity.

Grape variety

100% Pinot Noir