Domaine des Lambrays, Clos des Lambrays Grand Cru 2008

robert_parker93

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

Tasted at Goedhuis’s Burgundy tasting at the Saatchi Gallery. I misread this wine at the countless times it was shown during the round of London tastings in January, where it seemed rather light and innocuous. Returning two months later, it is almost as if the 2008 has awoken, displaying very pure, fragrant aromas of wild strawberry, red cherries, wet limestone and lemon peel, the palate medium-bodied, very well balance, taut yet utterly harmonious and beautifully focused, dancing across the mouth and leaving it refreshed and demanding another drop. Wonderful. Drink 2012-2020+ Tasted March 2010.

robert_parker93

Reviewed by: David Schildknecht

The 2008 Clos des Lambrays smells of resin, incense, sassafras, and myriad fresh red berries; comes to the palate with terrific brightness, lift, pungency, and verve; and finishes with vibrant spiciness, exuberant sheer juiciness, and admirable clarity. With abundant but fine tannins, I suspect it will justify at least a decade’s attention, during which perhaps mineral and carnal complexities will emerge that are for now at most merely hinted-at. 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