2009 Clos St Denis Vieilles Vignes Grand Cru
By Ponsot
2009 Clos St Denis Vieilles Vignes Grand Cru from Ponsot, Burgundy, France
The exquisite 2009 vintage in Burgundy is a narrative of grace under climatic pressure, and the 2009 Clos St Denis Vieilles Vignes Grand Cru from Ponsot eloquently translates this narrative into a symphony of sensory delights.
A Harmonious Encounter with an Illustrious Vintage
This particular year in Burgundy was marked by a relatively warm growing season, yet miraculously skirted the heat spikes that can mar the poise of Pinot Noir. Consequently, we were bestowed with grapes that reached optimal ripeness while preserving vital acidity – a duality which is majestically captured in this Ponsot offering.
Tastefully composed, this wine seems to dance between vigor and elegance. Upon approach, it unfurls a tapestry of aromatics – dark berry fruits entwined with the whispers of earthiness and the undercurrents of seasoned wood. On the palate, such intricacy converts into complexity; layers of fruit, mineral, and spice unravel seamlessly against a structure that is both assertive yet refined.
A Testament to Terroir and Timelessness
In keeping with its heritage, the Grand Cru provenance of these old vines lends a profound depth to the wine. Each sip offers a glimpse into the soul of Clos St Denis – its terroir rendered articulate by age-worthy tannins and an enduring finish that leaves an impression both on the palate and in memory.
For those poised to elevate their portfolio with a Burgundian gem, the 2009 Clos St Denis Vieilles Vignes Grand Cru from Ponsot stands out as a sophisticated investment. With ten years already under its belt, this vintage has just begun to reveal its true narrative – one of resilience, finesse, and remarkable aging potential.
As an invaluable addition to any serious collection, this wine's tale will continue to unfold for the patient connoisseur. Amid the broader tapestry of Burgundian excellence, its individual threads contribute texture and colour to what is truly one of the region's distinguished creations from an undeniable vintner.
Current market price
£8,820.00
12x75cl
Highest score
94
POP score
630
Scores and tasting notes
The 2009 Clos St. Denis Cuvee Tres Vieilles Vignes, from vines planted in 1905, is a weightless, elegant wine laced with crushed raspberries, autumn leaves, licorice and subtle earthiness. The wine flows through effortlessly to the long, impeccably textured finish. Yields were a minuscule 12 hectoliters per hectare here. (sold in a mixed case of 12 bottles at $6,600 per case) Anticipated maturity: 2019-2039. This set of 2009s from Laurent Ponsot was among the finest I tasted. The wines are simply dazzling from top to bottom. Ponsot was among the last to harvest in 2009, essentially starting when most, if not all, of his colleagues already had the fruit in their cellars. The fruit was 100% destemmed and the wines were vinified in oak vats. The wines were then racked into barrel for the malos, where many of them stayed with no further rackings. There is no new oak at Ponsot. The barrels range from 5 to 50 years of age. The range now includes a head spinning eleven Grand Crus, which now total an astonishing 70% of the estate’s total production. Ordinarily I would suggest cellaring the top 2009s for a minimum of 15 years or so, but now that Ponsot is bottling all of his wines with synthetic plastic corks made in Italy it is hard to know exactly how the wines will develop. I tasted all of the 2009s from barrel, where they had been aging since finishing their malolactic fermentations. Importer: Vineyard Brands, Birmingham, AL; tel. (205) 980-8802
Antonio Galloni - The Wine Advocate, 1 May 2011