Vinous - Neal Martin (93)

The 2021 Latricières-Chambertin Grand Cru has a strict, stony and quite austere nose in the positive sense of that word. There is fruit here—damsons—yet it is tightly coiled and will require time to unfold. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins. Very well-judged acidity, focused with neatly integrated oak, builds in the mouth towards a seductive but classical finish with hints of cracked black pepper and clove that linger on the aftertaste. Atypical for the vintage insofar as it seems to come from a warmer season. Tasted blind at the Burgfest tasting.

Vinous (93)

The 2017 Pommard Clos Blanc 1er Cru has a clean, precise bouquet of blackberry, briary and wild hedgerow scents, the oak nicely integrated. It’s quite reduced at present, though that should blow off. The palate is medium-bodied and fleshy, with supple tannins and touches of white pepper, clove and Chinese five-spice, leading to a harmonious and quite powerful finish. Yes, a bit brutish, but it should improve with bottle age. Closure is Diam 5. Tasted blind at the Burgfest 2017 tasting.

Vinous (91)

The 2016 Pommard Les Chaponnières 1er Cru has an attractive bouquet with crushed strawberry and light undergrowth aromas, becoming earthier with aeration. Moderate vigour. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly tough tannin on the entry, but redeemed by fine salinity and a harmonious, classically-lined finish with just the right amount of dryness. Fine. Tasted blind at the 2016 Burgfest tasting. (DIAM 10 closure)

Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (92-95)

Raised in 30% new wood and 70% 1 year old. Solid purple with medium depth. The nose starts on the oak and soon moves to the fruit. Very succulent again, smoothly balanced with a firm grip to the tannins. Yet it is suavely put together. High class, and it certainly has the length. Tasted: October 2019

Vinous (93)

The 2020 Pommard Les Chaponnières 1er Cru has a lovely nose with fresh cranberry, wild strawberry and is almost pastille-like in terms of its purity. The palate has a fleshy and quite concentrated opening, very harmonious with Volnay-like density and sensuality. Irresistible.

Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (91-93)

A fine mid ruby colour. The bouquet has both charm and density in a very happy balance. A lovely aftertaste of soft strawberry and fresh raspberry, the graceful side of Pommard with the tannins nicely covered. Drink from 2030-2037. Tasted: November 2023.

Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (91-93)

An even deep purple. The bouquet is a little less exuberant than the Perrières, but still builds in intensity. The fruit profile is similar but with more refinement and some dark cherries. Useful acidity, refined tannins, fine persistence. Drink from 2030-2037. Tasted Nov 2024.

Wine Advocate (86-88)

The 2015 Pommard Les Perrières has quite a rich bouquet with touches of fig infusing the kirsch and cassis aromas. The palate is sweet on the entry with bold tannin, moderate complexity with a firm, slightly confit-like finish that needs to muster a little more precision. Not bad, although maybe just picked a day or two too late? Let's see.

Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (91-94)

5 Star Wine. From vines planted in 1902. Fine clear mid-purple in colour, this has a very classy nose and some deep sweet rich fruit. Then a fine fresh acidity behind. This is very exciting! Stunning bouquet of dark raspberry and nectarine, so the sunshine is clearly present, but this is gorgeously juicy rather than crass.

Vinous (90)

The 2020 Pommard Les Perrières is a cuvée where winemaker Xavier Horiot confessed that in retrospect, he would have liked to pick a week earlier. Granted, the aromatics feel quite high-toned and extroverted, which is not his style, though the palate is fleshy and well-balanced, quite harmonious with sufficient acidity to keep it in balance. Maybe Horiot was being a bit hard on himself - this is perfectly fine.

Vinous (84-86)

The 2021 Pommard Les Perrières has a fragrant nose with raspberry pastilles and light floral scents. Fine delineation and purity, though not complex. The palate is well balanced with sappy red fruit, moderate depth, just missing some flesh on the finish that feels a tiny bit underripe compared to other cuvées.

Vinous (84-86)

The 2021 Pommard Les Perrières has a fragrant nose with raspberry pastilles and light floral scents. Fine delineation and purity, though not complex. The palate is well balanced with sappy red fruit, moderate depth, just missing some flesh on the finish that feels a tiny bit underripe compared to other cuvées.

Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (91-93)

(5 Star Wine) Not too deep in colour, with rather a stylish perfumed raspberry fruit. Light fresh acidity, behind the beautifully balanced fruit, a few tannins too, but the fruit stretches out wonderfully behind them. The benefit of ancient vines is clear to see. Drink from 2030-2036. Tasted: November 2023.

Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (90-93)

Picked over several days. An even powerful purple. The nose has an exuberant deep ripe raspberry aspect, but not over the top, with amazing energy on the palate, dark raspberry glossy fruit with firm but fine tannins at the back. Very juicy. Drink from 2030-2036. Tasted Nov 2024.

Burghound (93)

This is also aromatically quite restrained but aggressive swirling reveals a lovely blend of spice elements that suffuse very ripe aromas of poached plum, cassis and violet. Once again there is excellent volume and mid-palate density to the attractively textured big-bodied flavors that terminate in a mocha and bitter pit fruit-inflected finish that is noticeably warm. There is much to like here but the balance isn't quite as well dialed in as the best in the range.

Embodying the pinnacle of fine winemaking, the Laurent Ponsot Bonnes Mares Grand Cru Cuvee de l'Amandier 2021 is a triumphant notation of viticulture mastery in a bottle. Crafted in the verdant vineyards of Bonnes Mares Grand Cru, one of Burgundy's most prestigious appellations, it bears the distinguished character of its blessed terroir. Each bottle perpetuates Ponsot's legacy, a renowned winery famed for its holistic commitment to natural viticulture since 1872.

Now into the 4th generation, Ponsot's pursuit for excellence has culminated in this exquisite blend, unanimously lauded for its riveting complexity and depth. Evocative notes of ripe cherries, wild berries and spices unfurl in an elegant bouquet, framed by firm yet finely grained tannins. Its richness and structure are undeniably reminiscent of its oak ageing, striking a harmonious balance of power and finesse. Laurent Ponsot Bonnes Mares Grand Cru Cuvee de l'Amandier 2021, indeed, is the distinguished epitome of Burgundian Pinot Noir.

Immerse yourself in the mesmerising allure of the Laurent Ponsot Bourgogne Rouge Cuvee des Peupliers 2021, a splendid representative of French oenology acquired from illustrious vineyards in the Burgundy region. This exceptional red wine, crafted masterfully by the Ponsot family, showcases a harmonious balance of vibrant berry flavours with subtle hints of meticulous oak infusion. A leverage of cutting-edge viticulture techniques complement traditional practices in the vinification process, stimulating the natural and unique expression of the localised terroir.

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