Domaine des Lambrays, Clos des Lambrays Grand Cru 2018

robert_parker92

Reviewed by: William Kelley

After its fine showing from barrel, the 2018 Clos des Lambrays Grand Cru hasn't quite realized all its promise. Offering up aromas of ripe cherries, berries, spices and orange rind, it's more obviously marked by cedary new oak than I perceived a year ago, and rustic aromas of smoked meats and fresh leather now mingle with its inviting fruit tones. Full-bodied, rich and layered, it concludes with a youthfully chewy, oak lactone-inflected finish.

robert_parker95

Reviewed by: William Kelley

The 2018 Clos des Lambrays Grand Cru is showing very well, exhibiting notes of cassis, ripe wild berries, dark chocolate, black truffles, grilled squab and rich soil tones. On the palate, it's full-bodied, multidimensional and elegant, with refined structuring tannins, lively acids and good concentration. This is a deep and complete Clos des Lambrays that was vinified with 80% whole cluster and matured in 50% new oak. At 13.6% alcohol, it's very nicely balanced and seems set to rank as the finest rendition of this quasi-monopole since at least 2015.

vinous97

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

The 2018 Clos des Lambrays Grand Cru does not quite have the amplitude of Magnien's Clos Saint-Denis, but it displays more vivacious red fruit, clarifying with aeration and eventually develops quite an ethereal quality. The palate is beautifully balanced with sappy red fruit laced with white pepper, sage and graphite notes. Superb structure on the finish - quintessentially Morey-Saint-Denis with wonderful sappiness. Bon vin! Tasted blind at the Burgfest 2018 red tasting.

vinous93

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

The 2018 Clos des Lambrays Grand Cru has an intriguing nose. There is just a touch of reduction at first and the whole bunch element is more conspicuous here compared to the nascent 2019. Touches of brown spice, clove and freshly rolled tobacco accompany the black fruit. The palate has quite a lactic entry, a smear of dark chocolate that feels incongruous. Yet there is good depth and grip and it feels quite saline towards the finish, long in the mouth, though not as complex as other Grand Crus from this vintage. That said, it should age with style.

vinous95

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

The 2018 Clos des Lambrays is 80% whole bunch this year and aged in 50% new oak. Jacques Desvauges took the sample from two barrels in proportion with the wood. It has a floral bouquet with scents of wilted rose petals and incense, hints of cedar filtering through the red berry fruit. The stems are much better integrated than in the Les Loups. The elegant palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, peppery but harmonious and sustained, and plenty of energy toward the finish. This is the only vintage vinified by Boris Champy, and he did a fine job.