Laurent Ponsot Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru Cuvee du Cedre 2020

The "Harmonious" Giant – A Vintage of Exceptional Balance

In March 2026, the 2020 'Cuvée du Cèdre' is widely regarded as one of Laurent Ponsot's most technically perfect achievements. While 2018 was a year of "power" and 2021 a year of "lace," Laurent himself has used the word "Harmony" to describe the 2020 vintage. Despite being a warm and dry year, the analyses of these wines were described as "textbook," resulting in a Grand Cru that possesses both immense concentration and a startlingly fresh, direct character.

Sourced from seven different suppliers across ten locations throughout the Clos de Vougeot, the 2020 Cèdre provides a panoramic view of the appellation. With lower yields in 2020 (down about 25% from average), this wine has a natural density that is rare even for a Grand Cru.

The Terroir: "From All Over the Clos"

• The Vibe: If the 2021 is "vertical," the 2020 is "spherical." It is a wine that feels complete and "filled in" from every angle.

• The Site: By blending fruit from the various micro-climats of the 50-hectare walled vineyard, Laurent mitigates the variation of the vintage. The stony upper sections provide the "sparkling flashes" of aroma, while the deeper soils of the mid-sections provide the "massive" structural scale.

• The Craft: As is the house signature, there is zero new oak. This is critical in a concentrated year like 2020; it ensures the "textbook" fruit purity isn't weighed down by wood tannins or vanilla notes.

🍷 Tasting Notes (The "Vibe" in 2026)

Recent 2025/2026 professional reviews describe a wine of "sparkling complexity" that is surprisingly drinkable for its size.

• The Nose: Intense and Multi-faceted. It explodes with concentrated dark cherries, red currants, and plum liqueur. There are "extra flashes" of aromatic complexity including tobacco leaf, violets, and a hint of wild hedgerow fruits.

• The Palate: Massive and Direct. The entry is "mouth-filling" with an incredible scale. It is deep and concentrated but remains "fresh and direct with no fat." The tannins are present but "grainless," adhering smoothly to the palate.

• The Finish: Powerful and "Textured." It leaves a very long, firmly structured finish where the 14.5% ABV provides a touch of "noble warmth" without being hot.

📋 Technical Snapshot

Best Paired With:

• The "Haute Couture" Match: Roasted Veal with Chanterelles; the wine's "grainless" tannins respect the delicate texture of veal while the mushrooms echo the earthiness of the Clos.

• The Bold Choice: Venison with a Redcurrant Reduction; the intense red berry fruit of the 2020 vintage mirrors the tartness of the sauce.

• The Savory Finish: Aged Epoisses or a mature Comté; the wine's "earthenware" structure and high acidity handle the rich saltiness of these cheeses with ease.

Pro Tip: In 2026, collectors note that the 2020 Cèdre is a "vibrant" wine that is currently in a very expressive phase. If you choose to drink it now, decant for 1–2 hours to allow the "massive" palate to soften and the floral aromatics to bloom. As always, check the NFC chip in the capsule to ensure the wine has been stored at the correct temperature since it left the cellar.