Wine Region: Burgundy - France
Grape: Pinot Noir (100%)
About the Wine:
In a title deed of the Abbey of Citeaux dated February 1365 appears for the first time the name of "Cloux des Lambrey", a spelling which will disappear over time and which nowadays is written "Clos des Lambrays" . This same date appears on a terminal in the wall of Clos des Lambrays as a reminder to the visitor in homage to time.
Le Clos des Lambrays is located in Morey-Saint-Denis on the prestigious Côte des Nuits. The village of Morey-Saint-Denis has the largest proportion of Grands Crus.
Le Clos, one of the rare and most prestigious Clos de Bourgogne is surrounded by walls and is located on a gentle ridge on which the Clos des Lambrays vineyard rests, the oldest vines of which are over 60 years old. Clos des Lambrays is planted with Pinot Noir over a very small area of around 8 hectares, a very rare but sublime production.
The Clos des Lambrays house also produces a Puligny-Montrachet and Clos du Cailleret les Folatieres both in Premier Cru.
Expert Ratings:
La Revue du Vin de France 19 / 20
Jasper Morris MW - Inside Burgundy 92 / 100
"Sandalwood and cardamom aromas signal this cherry and black currant-flavored red. It's sleek and underlined by a graphic element that, along with the vibrant structure, drives the dense, powerful finish. Best from 2023 through 2040. 165 cases imported."
Wine Spectator 95 / 100
"Sandalwood and cardamom aromas signal this cherry and black currant-flavored red. It's sleek and underlined by a graphic element that, along with the vibrant structure, drives the dense, powerful finish. Best from 2023 through 2040. 165 cases imported."
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate 95 / 100
“The 2017 Clos des Lambrays Grand Cru opens in the glass with expressive aromas of sweet berry fruit, plums and orange rind that mingle with nuances of forest floor, smoked meats, cedar and spices. On the palate, it's medium to full-bodied, supple and open-knit, with succulent acids and moderate concentration, concluding with a nicely defined finish. I expect this to flesh out a little as it bounces back from bottling.”
Vinous 93 / 100
"The 2017 Clos des Lambrays Grand Cru has a very detailed bouquet of gorgeous red currant, cranberry and mineral aromas, plus a touch of tobacco in the background; quite leafy in style. The palate is medium-bodied with a fine backbone, quite firm and slightly powdery in texture. Focused with good grip on the sappy, overtly peppery finish. This is an excellent Grand Cru. Tasted blind at the Burgfest 2017 tasting." -- Neal Martin
Decanter 95 / 100
"Produced from what is nearly a monopole grand cru - Domaine Taupenot-Merme owns 0.004ha - Clos des Lambrays is always marked by its 90% whole bunches, but the style is very well done in 2017 under new cellarmaster, Boris Champy. With 50% new wood framing the palate, this is subtle, nuanced and focussed, with polished tannins and bright acidity"
Adrian van Velsen - vvWine.ch 96 / 100
"Bright ruby. Seductive aroma, a play of scents like no other, raspberries, herbs, fruit tea, oranges, highly complex. The palate is tight, precise, dense and wonderfully spicy, the fruit is buffered by distinctive tannins, these are finely woven, and the acidity keeps the rather warm fruit package fresh. The finish is sensationally long and with lots of red currants and some blood oranges in the retro finale. For me, clearly on the level of Clos de Tart."
About the Winery:
Domaine des Lambrays was established in 1363 yet it was only in 1981 that this climat was finally promoted to Grand Cru. The estate was purchased in 1996 by the Freune family and since then dramatic changes have taken place, leading to an upsurge in quality. At 8.8 hectares, this is the largest Grand Cru parcel in Burgundy under one proprietor.
As well as the grand cru itself, the Domaine also owns vines in premier cru and village vineyards in Morey, and since 1993, two premier cru vineyards in Puligny Montrachet, les Folatières and Clos du Cailleret, purchased from Domaine Chartron.
Winemaker Thierry Brouin has been in charge since 1979. The vineyards are run on more or less organic lines, with no chemical anti-rot sprays, and ploughing of the soil by horse. In the cellar, he likes to use the majority of the stems, favours punching down over pumping over, and prefers to restrain the amount of new oak – around 50% for the grand cru. The produce of young vines is downgraded to Morey St Denis 1er cru where it joins the fruit of tiny holdings of La Riotte and Le Village. The village Morey comes from La Riotte, Clos Solon, Les Larreys and especially La Bidaude which lies just above the Clos des Lambrays.
Domaine des Lambrays produces wines which possess balance, power and finesse and which fully live up to their Grand Cru status.
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