LAURENT PONSOT Cuvée de la Violette, Chambolle-Musigny

Cuvée de lAulne Gevrey-Chambertin A blend of grapes purchased from seven or eight growers, across 10 to 12 different communal parcels smattered throughout the village. Again, this is the approach that Ponsot advocates in order to glean the essence of the regional terroir, in this case that of a single lauded village. Red and dark fruit essences mesh with the smoked meat parlayed by Gevreys heavier, ferrous limestone. A richer wine in the context of Burgundy, without the edges and creases that need too much smoothing with time in the cellar. Accessible across the earlier to mid-term.

Cuvée des Peupliers Bourgogne Rouge Drawn from a parcel directly below the Route Nationale in Chambolle, abutting the Morey border. Ponsot has been farming this site since 2002 and it is, if you will, a launching pad into Chambolles evanescent glories of crunchy red fruit, silken tannins and chiffon-like detail. A waft of spice and sous-bois accents top it all off. A mere quarter of the cuvée was raised in oak facilitating imminent accessibility and enjoyment, high on the drinkability spectrum.

LAURENT PONSOT 1er Cru Les Charmes Cuvée du Tilleul, Chambolle-Musigny

This Chambertin is captivating from the get-go, showcasing the full range of fruit: blackberry, and pomegranate, accented by notes of smoke and spice. The palate is tautly muscular and refined with big-bodied flavours, mineral depth and quite a firm finish.

PHILIPPONNAT Blanc de Noirs Extra-Brut Vintage, Champagne