1988 Clos de la Roche Cuvee William

Drunk from a bottle purchased from the Tour d'Argent's cellar, Ponsot's 1988 Clos de la Roche Grand Cru Cuvée William is showing very well indeed, unfurling in the glass with a deep and youthful bouquet of ripe cherries, plums, candied peel, vanilla orchid and subtle soil tones. Full-bodied, rich and layered, it's a velvety, fleshy wine that appears to be a decade away from true maturity. As readers may remember, this cuvée derives from the part of the domaine's holdings in lieu-dit Monts Luisants that are classified in grand cru Clos de la Roche, as it was with the purchase of this parcel that William Ponsot founded his eponymous domaine.