What do you think about Ponsot?

WINE TALK
1

I havnt had much from them but Ive enjoyed pretty much everything Ive had. The wines are usually very ripe yet very pure.

Im surprised we don’t see more discussion here, I’d like to get other people’s take on his wines.

2

I agree. For all the press he gets the enthusiasm never seems very high. When I’ve offered them up in trade people normally refuse. I’ll tell you this, the 08 CDLR was one of the best young bottles of Burg. I’ve ever had.

3

Obviously it’s a hit with at least some big-spending collectors notwithstanding the low level of bulletin board buzz. I can’t say they’re in my zone, but “ripe yet very pure” sounds like a pretty good description of the style.

4

“Ripe but pure” sounds pretty accurate. I would add “extremely variable from bottle to bottle”.

5

Do you think its because of the low SO2?

6

Berry…So, as to my thoughts to your question…“What do you think about Ponsot?” The vigneron or wine?? I had the pleasure of barrel tasting all the 09’s with Laurent last Fall. I am a fan, no question (both Laurent and his wines). Yes, his wines are on the ripe side, but pure, terroir driven, obviously not over-oaked, as he uses no new oak. Loved the wines…unfortunately,the major negative being that his wines are out of sight regarding pricing. IMO, he is one of the most personable ( and most fun), and innovative vignerons in Burgundy. He spent 15-20 minutes showing us his new closure, the Guala seal, which I won’t go into detail on this post, but needless to say it is quite interesting. I love his philosophy on wine making. “If it’s not broke, don’t fix it…you don’t go to a doctor unless there is a problem…if there’s a problem, then deal with it”, etc, etc. He is really a minimalist. Should you get to Burgundy, consider a visit. I know he’s top on my list when I return this Fall.

7

Good to hear, I have a couple bottles resting. The 08 can be had for less than $200, the 09 is going for over $600. [shock.gif]. I suppose that happens when AM gives you big numbers.

8

I guess when one is super-rich, money is no object

9

I’m mad about Ponsot. I used to find it easy to acquire unfancied old vintages very cheaply, and they were without exception wonderful when properly aged though thee was always bottle variation. The GCs are infinitely too expensive for me now.

10

Good as he is, he did have a couple of vintages 1995 and 1996, where the wines are thin and prematurely aged. Have not tasted the 1997s, but 1998 he made a much better wine, and I loved the 1999s, and there on (apart from producing one of the greenest, meanest 2004s). His 2005s are brilliant, and for once Parker nailed a Burgundy, 2003 is also wonderful.

11

I’m a fan, but have only had a couple of bottles near maturity: an '85 Clos de la Roche & a '91 Griotte-Chambertin. Both were lovely. Neither were excessively ripe. I’ll continue to buy, assuming my source prices the '09s reasonably (I paid a small fraction of the going rate for the '05s).


I also love some of the older bottlings, particularly Clos St. Denis from the 50s & earlier. [stirthepothal.gif]

12

Killer wines, with some BV. The MSD Alouettes is an incredible bargain showing true Burgundy complexity without insane price.

13

BV?

14

Base-ball hitter …?

15

I found it insulting that he released the 1996 Chambertin and charged full price for it knowing full well that it was green, weedy and thin. I have not bought another bottle from Ponsot since.
Best, Jim

16

Bottle variation, I think.

17

Laurent Ponsot says that the 95s and 96s will come around perfectly when left for long enough. I believe him, based on the behaviour of CDLR and Griotte 86, which were once similarly notoriously ‘green, weedy and thin.’ This is often not a permanent condition.

18

An '85 CDLR is still one of the absolute highlight red burgs. I have had. Superb.

19

Coming from a guy who’s never met a bottle of green/weedy red burgundy that didn’t come around neener [stirthepothal.gif] [wink.gif] .

Jesting aside, I wonder when that weediness blows off if there’s anything else left to like, or has all the sappy fruit/tannin blown away, too?

20

some “off vintages” such as 80 were quite good in Ponsot’s hands. In fact, I probably wouldn’t consider 80 to be a lesser or off vintage based on Ponsot, DRC, and a couple others. But 95 and 96 were shameful. There are some highlights–85, 90, 93. Haven’t tasted any more recent vintages.
alan