99 points Allen Meadows (Burghound): "(the aggregate size of this holding is a whopping 3.4 ha and Ponsot is easily the largest holder in Clos de la Roche). All the superb and dramatic complexity that this displayed from barrel has made it into bottle as an extremely ripe and fantastically broad nose soars from the glass, merging seamlessly into dense, pure rich and powerful flavors that are opulent, sweet and dripping with so much extract and sap that the combination stains and saturates the palate on the hugely proportioned yet impeccably balanced finish that is so long that it doesn't seem possible. Given how many reference standard vintages Domaine Ponsot has produced of the Clos de la Roche over the years, it would be presumptuous to anoint this as the best ever but if it isn't, it will certainly take its rightful place among the very greatest. In sum, a 'wow' wine that makes you shake your head in sheer amazement. However be aware that this is a buy and forget wine as it will require at least 15 years to shed its considerable tannins and it will see 50 years without difficulty. Drink: 2020+. (Jan 2008)"
95-99 points Stephen Tanzer (International Wine Cellar): "(racked three days before my visit) Full ruby-red. Knockout nose melds black cherry, violet, licorice and brown spices; this is wild yet aristocratic in a Chambertin way. Densely packed, silky and incredibly intense, with palate-saturating flavors of black cherry, spices, minerals and bitter chocolate. As remarkably rich as this is (it's carrying 15% alcohol, according to Ponsot), there's no impression of undue weight. This is old-vines Clos de la Roche in all its savage splendor. Endless finish. Should make a cellar treasure. (Mar/Apr 2007)"
96-98 points David Schildknecht (Wine Advocate): "The estate’s flagship 2005 Clos de la Roche Cuvee Vieilles Vignes surges from the glass in an aromatic tidal wave of liqueur-like black raspberry essence, cinnamon spice, praline, chocolate and heady floral sweetness. Incontrovertibly fat and full, not about clarity or discretion but rather about thick, sumptuous layers of flavor that blanket the palate, this will not be every taster’s idea of a great Burgundy -- or perhaps even a good time. Still, there is lift, bright juiciness and a sense of emerging elegance in a finish where sheer intensity and unabashed richness rule but neither the fruit nor tannins are the least bit coarse, and stony, chalky underpinnings break the surface with their own sort of austere beauty. (Apr 2007)"
96 points Jasper Morris, MW (Inside Burgundy): "A sound and solid red, the bouquet is beginning to take on a delicious savoury quality, little raspberry notes, some leathery aspects from the tannins of the vintage. There is high acidity still, along with the tannins, yet the fruit remains supremely youthful. Some zest of orange, still much too young, and though not as difficult as 1976 would have been at the same stage, one can draw parallels. I think this could develop in the glass over an hour or two but will not have the chance. In fact, already after five minutes the leathery aspects are disappearing as the fruit becomes more sensual. The persistence of the aftertaste is most impressive. There is still a huge amount to give. (May 2022)"
96 points Charles Curtis, MW (Decanter): "The 2005 is still showing a surprisingly deep colour, although the bouquet is beginning to open now. There are notes of black cherry accented with orange peel and a faint suggestion of earthy forest floor aromas, making it among the most open and accessible 2005s that I have tasted recently. The aromas are developed but not alarmingly, and there is plenty of room for future cellaring. The texture is silky and there's no astringency, but the wine has a refreshing acidity that helps keep it lively on the extended finish. Impressive. Drinking Window: 2022-2045. (May 2022)"
95 points John Gilman (View From the Cellar): "The 2005 Clos de la Roche Vieilles Vignes looks like a second coming of the 1980 vintage of this wine, as it seems quite certain to mirror that former wine’s syrupy opulence and bottomless depth. Laurent feels that this will ultimately be proven to be the wine of the vintage. The bouquet now is very, very deep, very, very powerful and quite primary, as it offers up notes of red plums, black cherries, blood orange, vinesmoke, mustard seed, gamebirds, earth and espresso. On the palate the wine is monumentally scaled, with wave after wave of fruit on the attack, substantial, but very ripe tannins, and great length and grip on the remarkably soil-driven finish, given the onslaught of fruit on the attack. Larger than life. 2017-2060. (Mar/Apr 2007)"
95-99 points Stephen Tanzer (International Wine Cellar): "(racked three days before my visit) Full ruby-red. Knockout nose melds black cherry, violet, licorice and brown spices; this is wild yet aristocratic in a Chambertin way. Densely packed, silky and incredibly intense, with palate-saturating flavors of black cherry, spices, minerals and bitter chocolate. As remarkably rich as this is (it's carrying 15% alcohol, according to Ponsot), there's no impression of undue weight. This is old-vines Clos de la Roche in all its savage splendor. Endless finish. Should make a cellar treasure. (Mar/Apr 2007)"
96-98 points David Schildknecht (Wine Advocate): "The estate’s flagship 2005 Clos de la Roche Cuvee Vieilles Vignes surges from the glass in an aromatic tidal wave of liqueur-like black raspberry essence, cinnamon spice, praline, chocolate and heady floral sweetness. Incontrovertibly fat and full, not about clarity or discretion but rather about thick, sumptuous layers of flavor that blanket the palate, this will not be every taster’s idea of a great Burgundy -- or perhaps even a good time. Still, there is lift, bright juiciness and a sense of emerging elegance in a finish where sheer intensity and unabashed richness rule but neither the fruit nor tannins are the least bit coarse, and stony, chalky underpinnings break the surface with their own sort of austere beauty. (Apr 2007)"
96 points Jasper Morris, MW (Inside Burgundy): "A sound and solid red, the bouquet is beginning to take on a delicious savoury quality, little raspberry notes, some leathery aspects from the tannins of the vintage. There is high acidity still, along with the tannins, yet the fruit remains supremely youthful. Some zest of orange, still much too young, and though not as difficult as 1976 would have been at the same stage, one can draw parallels. I think this could develop in the glass over an hour or two but will not have the chance. In fact, already after five minutes the leathery aspects are disappearing as the fruit becomes more sensual. The persistence of the aftertaste is most impressive. There is still a huge amount to give. (May 2022)"
96 points Charles Curtis, MW (Decanter): "The 2005 is still showing a surprisingly deep colour, although the bouquet is beginning to open now. There are notes of black cherry accented with orange peel and a faint suggestion of earthy forest floor aromas, making it among the most open and accessible 2005s that I have tasted recently. The aromas are developed but not alarmingly, and there is plenty of room for future cellaring. The texture is silky and there's no astringency, but the wine has a refreshing acidity that helps keep it lively on the extended finish. Impressive. Drinking Window: 2022-2045. (May 2022)"
95 points John Gilman (View From the Cellar): "The 2005 Clos de la Roche Vieilles Vignes looks like a second coming of the 1980 vintage of this wine, as it seems quite certain to mirror that former wine’s syrupy opulence and bottomless depth. Laurent feels that this will ultimately be proven to be the wine of the vintage. The bouquet now is very, very deep, very, very powerful and quite primary, as it offers up notes of red plums, black cherries, blood orange, vinesmoke, mustard seed, gamebirds, earth and espresso. On the palate the wine is monumentally scaled, with wave after wave of fruit on the attack, substantial, but very ripe tannins, and great length and grip on the remarkably soil-driven finish, given the onslaught of fruit on the attack. Larger than life. 2017-2060. (Mar/Apr 2007)"
| Product SKU | 116178 |
| Producer | Ponsot |
| Country | France |
| Region | Burgundy |
| SubRegion | Côte de Nuits |
| Appellation | Morey-St.-Denis |
| Varietal | Pinot Noir |
| Designation | Grand Cru|Vieilles Vignes |
| Vintage | 2005 |
| Size | 750ml |
| Color | Red |
| ABV | 13.3% |
| Ships To |
