Classic ruby with no bricking. A highly complex and nuanced nose of red and black cherry fruit aromas nuanced by spice, damp earth and game notes leads to medium weight, sappy, refined and intense flavors that display outstanding precision and superb length. This is ripe, pure and finishes with a very appealing stony quality to complement the outstanding persistence. For my taste, this has reached a stage where it could be drunk now with pleasure or held for up to another 5-ish years first. A really lovely and harmonious effort. Consistent notes.

Unlike a bottle tasted at the domaine last year, this bottle from a private collection was showing a bit of maturity, with subtle notes of earth, smoke, and iron beginning to overtake the exuberant plum and black cherry fruit of years gone by. The wine, however, is still firm and elegant, with plenty of tannin and bright, fresh acidity to balance the complex aromas. The wine comes from a blend of the 3.35 hectares the domaine owns in this grand cru, split between the historic Clos and lieu-dit Les Monts Luisants, destemmed, gently fermented, and aged in used casks.

Tasted at Goedhuis’s Burgundy tasting at the Saatchi Gallery. The 2001 is an under-rated vintage and true to form, Laurent Ponsot’s Clos-de-la-Roche is shoulder to shoulder with more reputed vintages. Having said that, initially the nose is reticent and takes a great deal of coaxing (more so than the 2000.) Eventually there are aromas of mulberry, forest floor, rosemary and violets. The palate is medium-bodied with firm, very crisp tannins struck through with a racy silver thread of acidity. I love the tension here, but it is still holding secrets back for the future. Enigmatic. Drink 2011-2025+

Ponsot's 2001 Clos de la Roche Grand Cru Cuvée Vieilles Vignes is going from strength to strength, and this bottle was showing beautifully, wafting from the glass with notes of red plums, smoked duck, cherries, spices, mustard seed and potpourri. On the palate, it's full-bodied, deep and concentrated, with chalky but melting tannins, tangy acids and a long, stony finish. Somewhat rustic in profile, it isn't the most elegant vintage of Ponsot's Clos de la Roche, but it's beginning to drink well today. - William Kelley