1993 Domaine Ponsot Clos de la Roche Grand Cru
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Tasting notes
The 1993 Clos de la Roche Cuvée Vieilles Vignes Grand Cru comes from one of my favorite vintages and is showing beautifully. Quintessential Clos de la Roche with ebullient red fruit, sage, hints of menthol and a touch of undergrowth, this conveys more complexity than either the preceding bottles of 2005 or 1999. The palate is medium-bodied with finely-chiseled tannins, superb salinity and freshness, almost citric-like with so much energy and tension on the persistent finish. Typical of this vintage, this is a Clos de la Roche you want to drink down to the last drop. Superb. Tasted at Ponsot's 150th anniversary vertical at the Domaine.
Critic scores
Robert Parker
Neal Martin
More reviews and scores
The 1993 Clos de la Roche Grand Cru Cuvée Vieilles Vignes is another real success, wafting from the glass with complex aromas of rose petals, dried berries, plums, confit orange, exotic spices, musk and orris root (the dried iris rhizome, somewhat reminiscent of violets). Full-bodied, supple and seamless, it's deep, layered and vibrant, with melting tannins and a cool core of fruit, concluding with a long, perfumed finish. It's more elegant and aromatic than the rich, fleshy 1999 or the ripe, broad-shouldered 1990.
Ponsot's Clos de la Roche Vieilles Vignes may turn out to be a perfect wine. It requires 6-7 years of cellaring and will last for 25-35 years, rare indeed for modern day red Burgundy. It possesses an extract level rarely seen today in Burgundy. It is awesome, compelling, profound, and da da da da da.... Words simply do not do this wine justice. Take the 1990, build on the concentration level, and what you have is the 1993. Perhaps it is not economically viable to make wines from such low yields, but this is what great wine-making is all about. It is a shame so few people will ever have the opportunity to taste it. Aug 1995, www.robertparker.com
About the producer
Domaine Ponsot is one of the most well-known estates in the Côte de Nuits, famed for owning three of the original four hectares of the Clos de la Roche Grand Cru. The legendary domaine also produces another nine Grand Cru cuvées.