1998 Hubert Lignier, Clos de la Roche Grand Cru 1x75cl

Robert Parker – 91

A deep garnet hue with deep brick rim. I thought the nose was quite modern, akin to a super-Tuscan but the palate was telling me Pinot Noir. A decadent, rich, lifted nose; opulent black fruits, cherry and cassis. The palate is full-bodied, again quite decadent and lascivious. Plum, wild strawberry and violets. Dense and muscular. I guess it to be a Lignier just by its flamboyance. For me, lacking typicity and finesse but others who prefer a more modern style of Burgundy will adore it. 7/06

Vinous – 93+

Deep, bright red-ruby color. Knockout nose combines roasted plum, currant, bitter chocolate, roast coffee and clove. Silky and mouthfilling, with a compelling, penetrating sweetness. Has huge extract to buffer the strong but ripe tannins. Very long, slow-mounting finish saturates the entire palate. A superb vintage for this wine, but this ’98 will require a good eight to ten years of patience. [Stephen Tanzer, 03/01/2001]

Burghound – 92

Deep ruby. A beguiling and still almost completely primary nose that displays a touch of extraction along with spicy, pure and deeply pitched red and black pinot fruit aromas nuanced by smoke, underbrush and a very subtle animale quality. The big, muscular and dense flavors that still firm with solid but not aggressive tannins and the barest hints of astringency on the long finish. This is obviously very classy juice with plenty of punch and at the pace this is evolving, it may need longer than the time frame I am suggesting. In sum, this is a really lovely effort that drinks best with food today but in 5 to 7 years, it will drink well with or without accompaniment. [24/09/2005]