MNSC Burgundy Trip Day 5: Ponsot

Visit to Domaine Ponsot in Morey-Saint-Denis.  Very warmly received by the flamboyant Laurent Ponsot.  I hadn't seen Laurent since he came to show us the amazing 2005s almost 3 years ago, and I was surprised to see that he's trimmed his long, wavy locks...

Ponsot does not use any new oak as Laurent doesn't believe in it.  That puts him in the minority here, especially when it comes to Grand Crus.

2009 Ponsot Morey-Saint-Denis 1er Cru Clos des Monts Luisants - made from Aligoté planted in 1911.  Nose was pungent, with minerals, really ripe, buttery and floral.  Acidity was high on the palate, as I expected.  Better than the 2005 I tasted last time.

2009 Ponsot Corton-Charlemagne - one of a handful of new wines Laurent has been able to make in 2009 as he was offered grapes from other growers.  Made with 40% Aligoté.  Really sweet, ripe, floral, creamy vanilla... huge nose.  Good acidity balance here.  Laurent claims this is the only Corton-Charlemagne made without any new oak.

2009 Ponsot Bourgogne - smoked meats, fruit, rich and almost a little cloudy.

2009 Ponsot Gevrey-Chambertin Cuvée de l'Abeille - minerals, sweet fruit and leather.

2009 Ponsot Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Charmes - sweet, black fruits like plums, ripe and smoky.

2009 Ponsot Morey-Saint-Denis 1er Cru - intense nose of leather, concentrated and sweet fruits.  Made with fruit from Clos Monts Luisants.

2009 Ponsot Corton Cuvée de Bourdon - color was really dark and inky.  Nose of pine needle, herbs, a hint of smoke.  Grippy on the finish with acidity.  Was this a Pinot that I drank?!

2009 Ponsot Corton Les Bressandes - more smoky and medicinal, brett and smoke on the nose.  Intense and dark, with higher acidity.

2009 Ponsot Griotte-Chambertin - really sweet and fruity, jammy, black fruits and herbs.  Soft and enjoyable.

2009 Ponsot Chapelle-Chambertin - really exotic, sweet, ripe, tropical fruits, coconut butter... Is this an Aussie Shiraz?

2009 Ponsot Chambertin - smoke, fruit and pine needle.  Elegant... some tannins here but reasonably smooth.  5 barrels.

2009 Ponsot Clos Saint-Denis Très Vieilles Vignes - made from 104-year vines.  Minty, intense nose of herbs and forest.  Raw, animal-like, almost pungent.  7 barrels.

2009 Ponsot Clos de la Roche Vieilles Vignes - so smooth and silky... Nose of smoked meats, a bit fatty.