1999 Domaine Ponsot Clos de la Roche Grand Cru "Vieilles Vignes"

“Good dark red. An initial touch of reduction to the aromas of raspberry, minerals, mocha and musky woodsmoke. Wonderfully sweet and lively on the palate; an outstanding expression of soil, with plush, fine-grained flavors of red berries, smoke, minerals and exotic Asian spices conveying an impression of finesse that's striking for such a rich, powerful wine. The very long, mounting finish displays balsamic notes of cedar and sandalwood and benefits from strong, perfectly integrated tannins. New winemaker Alexandre Abel considers this wine too young to drink but would double-decant it if you do (my bottle had simply been uncorked two hours before I tasted it). (ST)” (03/2018)

“The 1999 Clos de la Roche shows a bit of maturity, with the colour fading slightly at the rim. The bouquet also offers more evolution despite plenty of primary fruit and is now adorned with aromas of dried flowers and liquorice spice. On the palate, the wine remains fresh and deep. There is almost a slightly porty quality, but the wine is holding well and showing rewardingly sweet figgy fruit on the finish. (CC)” (04/2022)

“The Clos de la Roche is a legend in the making in 1999, as this is a wine that possesses unbelievable depth and expression for such a young wine. The nose is deep, packed with fruit and very primary, with layers of plum, cherry, vinesmoke, game, loads of soil tones, mustard seed, dark chocolate, and other herbs soaring from the glass. On the palate the wine is big, full and opulent, with great underlying structure, plenty of ripe tannins buried in fruit, and superb focus that the powerful 1997 never displayed this early in its youth. For those that have been hankering for another monument of Ponsot Clos de la Roche, do not miss the 1999! (Drink between 2012-2050)” (05/2002)

“Beginning to show some hints of tertiary evolution, the 1999 Clos de la Roche Grand Cru Cuvée Vieilles Vignes is showing very well, delivering aromas of ripe plums, sweet red berries, exotic spices, orange rind and forest floor. Full-bodied, ample and seamless, with a fleshy core of fruit and a sapid, perfumed finish, this is one of the high points of Laurent Ponsot's time at the helm of this storied domaine. (WK)” (10/2022)

“A spicy, ripe and relatively expressive nose features superbly complex aromas that combine maturing red, black and dark berry fruit elements along with plenty of pungent earth character. There is terrific intensity to the seductively sappy and concentrated broad-shouldered but well-detailed flavors that offer knock out power. This really does a slow build from the attack all the way to the explosive finish that lingers for minutes. As impressive as the wine is however, the structure has once again begun to assert itself and thus it will likely need another 5 to 8 years of cellar time to be at its best.” (04/2016)

“If anything, a fresher brighter colour than the 2005, with a clean fruit backed by a very light sweet horsey note from something bacterial. Sweet and sour on the palate, indeed a suggestion of soy sauce. Still very youthful, but where will it head from here? Except for ultimate purists, I think the fruit will win out.” (05/2022)

“Dark crimson. Very sweet, griottes cherries. Sweet. Highest alcohol of this flight. Fun. 18.5/20 points (JR)” (04/2013)