2018 Domaine Hubert Lignier 'Clos de la Roche Grand Cru' MCMLV

CRITICAL ACCLAIM


Decanter - " Laurent Lignier uses 0.8ha of his two holdings in the climats of Les Fremières and Monts Luisants to produce this refined expression of Clos de la Roche. Savoury and sweet, with 30% whole clusters adding aromatic spices and extra structure in 2018, this is graceful, subtle and concentrated with palate-caressing summer berry fruit and refreshing palate length. Drinking Window 2026 - 2036."


Vinous - "The 2018 Clos de la Roche Grand Cru comprises one-third whole bunch and 30% new oak. The nose is uncharacteristically backward, though with coaxing it offers enticing dark cherries, blackberry, sous-bois and pine aromas that gain intensity with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy red berry fruit and a fine bead of acidity. Taut and linear, leading to a very precise, persistent finish that is a pure joy. Divine."


John Gilman - "The 2018 Clos de la Roche from Laurent Lignier is simply stellar example of the vintage, offering up ripe and very pure fruit, great soil signature and a firm, refined chassis of tannin to carry it far into the future. The bouquet wafts form the glass in a complex blend of plums, red and black cherries, a touch of beetroot, gamebird, bonfire, mustard seed, marvelous soil tones and cedar. On the palate the wine is full-bodied, focused and shows off beautiful mid-palate depth, with ripe, chewy and well-integrated tannins, great balance and grip and a very long, tangy and nascently complex finish. A terrific wine. (Drink between 2032-2085)"


Robert Parker's Wine Advocate - "Revisited in bottle, Lignier's 2018 Clos de la Roche Grand Cru lives up to its fine performance in barrel, wafting from the glass with aromas of dark berries, cherries and orange rind mingled with truffle, espresso roast, loamy soil and dark chocolate. Full-bodied, concentrated and seamless, it's layered and vibrant, with a deep core of pure fruit that largely conceals impressive reserves of fine, powdery tannins. Concluding with a long and saline finish, it will merit and reward at least a dozen years' patience, likely hitting its stride around age 20. "


Burghound - "There is enough reduction to knock down the fruit at present though the sleek, focused an energetic middle weight flavors possess very good freshness and fine complexity while delivering excellent length on the firmly structured finish where the only reproach is a touch of warmth. This isn't particularly concentrated though with that said, there appears to be enough underlying material to enable the 2018 Clos de la Roche to develop gracefully over many years."