A very mild touch of reduction is just enough to blur the distinctions of the ripe red berry, earth and soft spice nuances and I suspect that a quick aeration would be sufficient to dissipate it. The broad-shouldered flavors possess a lovely texture thanks to the plentiful level of dry extract that enrobes the firm tannins shaping the serious and linear finish that displays excellent power and length. This is very promising.
BH94
Not surprisingly, the 2016 Clos de la Roche “Vieilles Vignes” from Domaine Ponsot is utterly brilliant. The bouquet is deep, sappy and very pure, delivering scents of red and black cherries, plums, raw cocoa, gamebird, woodsmoke and a magically complex base of soil tones. On the palate the wine is pure, sappy and very transparent in profile, with a great core of fruit, impeccable focus and balance, suave, ripe tannins and a very, very long, complex and vibrant finish. This is not as massively endowed as some recent vintages of Clos de la Roche here, and I have absolutely no complaints in this regard, as this wine is showing just beautiful potential and is every bit as promising as any recent vintage of this cuvée chez Ponsot! (Drink between 2028-2085)
JG97
Dark red with ruby tones. Fully ripe but reticent nose combines cherry and musky soil tones, lifted by a floral topnote. Compellingly sappy, thick and deep; an utterly seamless grand cru with outstanding depth of texture and an impression of energy and power to its red and black fruit and earth flavors. Boasts uncommon thickness of fruit and purity. The wonderfully long, slowly rising, edge-free finish shows terrific energy.
VM97