Clos de la Roche, Domaine Hubert Lignier 2012

The 2012 Clos de la Roche Grand Cru was riveting in barrel, so how would it perform in bottle? Instantly one can see that it is deeper in color than the Charmes-Chambertin (not that counts for much in Burgundy). The bouquet has closed a little since I last encountered this Grand Cru from barrel, but with patience it reveals gorgeous dark cherries, red plum, mineral and spice aromas, all gently unfurling. The palate is astonishingly fine. Here it fulfills its promise, a Grand Cru of intensity and finesse. It is blessed with a silky smooth texture but underneath that is exquisite balance and mineralité. It offers the sensuality of Clos de la Roche but with a rarefied level of refinement. You will be hard pressed to find a better Clos-de-la-Roche better than this.