Just Tasted
11May
Simon Larkin MW, Managing Director of Atlas Fine Wines, has followed this domaine more closely than perhaps any other over the last 20 years, having worked with them at his previous employers. Over this period, he has seen a dramatic surge in quality and consistency, culminating in a remarkable run of vintages post 2000. As Simon says, it is highly likely that several of Ponsot’s extensive range of Grand Cru will rank in his top ten in almost any Burgundy vintage he tastes from barrel. Domaine Ponsot gained famed under the stewardship of the charismatic Laurent Ponsot, Rose-Marie’s brother, who stepped back last year to begin a négociant business and to write a book. While Laurent still holds stake within the Domaine, Rose-Marie has moved forward from a ‘behind-the-scenes’ role to oversee the day-to-day management of the estate. Since Laurent Ponsot’s departure to pursue his own aims, wine-making responsibilities have passed to Alexandre Abel, who is working with the team previously supervised by Laurent. We were delighted that Rose-Marie joined us to explain how this exceptional domaine moves forward in its new era as we discussed and tasted through wines from across the Ponsot portfolio including five vintages of the Clos de la Roche Vieilles Vignes, the property’s flagship Grand Cru. The full list of wines tasted was as follows:
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Just Tasted
07Dec
Yesterday evening Atlas' hosted a Tasting and Dinner with Gianluca Grasso, of Elio Grasso at Theo Randall. Today, the Elio Grasso estate is run by Gianluca , who has taken over the day-to-day running and winemaking from his father Elio, after completing his studies at the oenological school in Alba. There is no great secret to the quality of the wines here. Yes, the Barolo vineyards, the Cru of Gavarini and Ginestra, are outstanding sites on which to grow high-class Nebbiolo: both are south-facing, spanning at 300-400 metres of altitude, with a little more clay in Ginestra and a little more sand in Gavarini over the limestone base. Above all, however, it is a meticulous attention to detail that maintains the quality of the wines. This is something of a Grasso character trait and it underwrites the family’s firm belief that ‘wine is made in the vineyard’. Since Gianluca assumed winemaking responsibilities, quality has been propelled further; that same meticulous attention he employs in the cellars also ensures that the fruit is handled sensitively and none of its potential is lost.
The wines that Simon and Gianluca selected allowed for a fascinating comparison between the two Barolo, namely Vigna Chiniera and Casa Maté in three outstanding vintages (2012, 2013 and 2001) as well as the Riserva Rüncot in 2010 and 2001. While the Barolo undoubtedly command the headlines at this estate, the Grasso family produce some first-rate Nebbiolo, Barbera and Dolcetto, all of which were on show. The full line-up was as follows:
Tasting
Nebbiolo Gavarini Langhe, Piedmont 2016
Barolo, Gavarini Vigna Chiniera 2012
Barolo, Ginestra Vigna Casa Maté 2012
Barolo, Gavarini Vigna Chiniera 2013
Barolo, Ginestra Vigna Casa Maté 2013
Barolo Riserva Rüncot 2010
Wines Paired with Dinner
Dolcetto d'Alba dei Grassi, Piemonte 2016
Vigna Martina Barbera d'Alba, Piedmont 2015
Barolo, Gavarini Vigna Chiniera 2001
Barolo, Ginestra Vigna Casa Maté 2001
Barolo Riserva Rüncot 2001
For information about events, please contact Hannah Van Susteren.
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Atlas Opinion
03Oct
Providing an impressive Client Reserves service is core to Atlas’ proposition and we have never cut corners in this respect. Over the last seven years, we have seen the number of cases of wine held in our private client reserves grow substantially and this led us to consider how we wish to develop our stock management service. Following a comprehensive review of the UK storage market, we have decided to move our own stock and client reserves to LCB Vinothèque, Burton on Trent. The two primary reasons for this move are:
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Atlas Opinion
01Oct
Hector’s interest in fine wine started while in university, when he landed a summery stint selling wine to boat owners in the south of France. He then spent six months working for a Bordeaux négociant as part of his degree at Royal Holloway, University of London. Following graduation, he joined a fine wine trading platform where h e worked as part of the sales team. With extensive knowledge of trade and fluent French, he is a great asset to Atlas trade business, working closely with Bordeaux negociants and other merchants across France.
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Market News
01Aug
Following studies in French and German at Exeter University, Laura moved to Paris and then to Berlin to work and hone her fluency in both languages. It was while living abroad that her interest in wine was founded.
Following her return to the UK, wine continued to be an ongoing interest while working as a residence manager in super prime London residential property. Keen to transfer her client-facing experience into a role within the wine industry, Laura left real estate for a two-month placement in a vineyard in Stellenbosch, South Africa where she gained experience in wine sales and events. She then joined Atlas in August 2017 in a role supporting the buying and sales team, and is quickly progressing through her WSET exams.
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31Jul
A recap published regularly on Atlas News, Recent Offers, Market Updates, and Events all in one place.
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