Clos de la Roche VV, Domaine Ponsot 2012

**Note: the aggregate size of this holding is a whopping 3.4 ha and Ponsot is easily the largest holder in Clos de la Roche** Interestingly this is even spicier with its own very broad array of spice elements that seemingly change with each whiff of the markedly ripe nose. The ripeness carries over to the dense, serious and overtly powerful big-bodied and imposingly scaled flavors that also possess seemingly unlimited reserves of palate coating dry extract that impart a velvety texture but also buffer the very firm tannins on the massively persistent finish. This is a big wine even by the outsized standards of a great Clos de la Roche yet the balance is faultless. This should be great in time.

Tasted blind at the annual "Burgfest" tasting in Beaune. The 2012 Clos de la Roche Vieilles Vignes Grand Cru from Laurent Ponsot has an extravagant, generous nose with hints of kirsch and raisin infusing the cranberry and blueberry fruit. Fortunately it does seem to calm down in the glass, rein in some of that nascent enthusiasm. The palate is sweet on the entry with red fruit, marmalade and dried orange peel. This is a grand cru that just wants to go out and please, a sexy Pinot Noir that does not hold back, which is what you want from this grand cru. This is a tempting offering, so much so that it is easy to overlook its pedigree.