Domaine des Lambrays, Clos des Lambrays Grand Cru 2007

robert_parker92

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

Tasted four times in London and such a mercurial wine. Naturally, this is dichotomous to the style of Clos du Tart who always picks far later than Domaine du Lambrays, but then again so does nearly everyone. Each has their own virtues, this Clos du Lambrays very elegant and refined on the nose, a touch of greenness simply complementing the red-berried fruit. A hint of rusty nails. The palate is medium-bodied, very well balanced with shrill acidity on the finish. I cannot get away from the under-ripeness here, as much as I appreciate the leafier, green style of Pinot Noir. But the final sample at Haynes, Hanson & Clarke displayed far less greenness, much more elegance and nuance with a graceful demeanour. Confused? So am I! A capricious Clos des Lambrays. Tasted January 2009.

robert_parker91

Reviewed by: David Schildknecht

The 2007 Clos des Lambrays smells of incense, ginger, blond tobacco, salted beef stock, and fresh red berries, all of which mingle on a finely-textured palate, leading to a long finish with hints of caramelized root vegetables and pan scrapings adding further savor to what is already an extremely mouth-watering performance, and one that should be worth attending over at least the next 6-8 years. This displays admirable clarity of flavors – not to mention their complexity – for its vintage. Thierry Brouin claims that “extreme selectivity and 4,700 bottles of Bourgogne rose” (of which, however, he didn’t open one for me) was his “formula” for 2008 excellence. I last tasted the wines – some lots of which didn’t finish malo until December – assembled from tank just prior to their March bottling. The 2007s were bottled in that month as well, “proper” wines – notes Brouin – “rendered from fruit that didn’t look very good.” Importer: Weygandt-Metzler, Unionville, PA; tel. (610) 486-0800

vinous90

Reviewed by: Stephen Tanzer

Good full red. Reticent nose hints at plum, cherry, cinnamon and pepper. Tightly wound and imploded; much more backward than the premier cru. Not a particularly big or powerful version of Clos des Lambrays but shows the structured side of the vintage more than its sweetness of fruit. This seems to be closing down now. Finishes with big, dusty tannins and a lingering brown spice character.

vinous91

Reviewed by: Stephen Tanzer

Medium red. Redcurrant, rust, tobacco, humus and brown spices on the nose, along with a whiff of licorice. Lush and sweet, with raspberry and spice flavors complicated by leather and earth. In a rather open-knit style for young Clos des Lambrays, finishing with good length and a fine dusting of tannins.