2013JBPonsotRully2013 Domaine Jean-Baptiste Ponsot, Rully, Montpalais, 1er Cru White Burgundy, France.
This was an impressive surprise, after two solid vintages and quality offerings comes this stunning Premier Cru effort from 2013, making Jean-Baptiste Ponsot a name to look for, this is a step up from the prior releases I’ve sampled! If you are looking for expressive and interesting white Burgundy at very fair prices I suggest you search out the 2013’s from this Charles Neal Imports producer, they are not that far off some big names in terms of style and quality, these are well made and stylish wines by Jean-Baptiste Ponsot with the 2013 Premier Cru Montpalais Rully being especially intriguing and appealing. Rully, established as an AOC in 1939, is in the northern part of Burgundy in the Cote Chalonnaise and has about 150 acres of Premier Cru vines with 23 Crus, it is more famous for it’s whites, and it is a grand terroir with some big names, like Domaine A et P de Villaine making wines from these vineyards. The 2013 Jean-Baptiste Ponsot Les Montpalais Premier Cru Rully starts with it’s pale hue with just a kiss of gold around the rim and a subtle nose of white flowers, hay, wet stones and citrus leading to a vibrant palate that is a mix of Chablis and Chassagne lets say, with vital acidity and mineral tones along with a full array of green apple, pear, white peach, nectarine flesh and a dynamic core of lemon as well as chalky river stones, saline, hazelnut and light brioche element. This wine is steely Chardonnay and while at first impression you’d think light and cooly crisp there’s more to come, it really unfolds on the palate with air and delivers rich detail, terroir and character in beautiful fashion, this is delightful and expressive stuff, highly entertaining and a stupid good value, drink over the next 3 to 7 years.
($28 Est.) 92 Points, grapelive

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