Tasting Notes
JancisRobinson.com – 17+
Sweet red fruit with a touch of marzipan as well as cake spice. Semi-firm tannins on the palate with nicely balanced acidity, finishing with a touch of chocolate. Just a hint of leafiness. Not entirely thrilling, but a solid and reliable style. Those tannins get quite furry on the length. (RH)
Anticipated maturity: 2021-2036
Vinous – 93+
The 2016 Clos des Lambrays Grand Cru is extremely well defined on the nose with blacker fruit than its peers, wet limestone scents percolating through the red berry fruit, somehow sedate and effortless. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy red fruit, nigh perfect acidity, a touch of fleshiness towards the finish. It is not the most ambitious Grand Cru, yet in terms of sheer pleasure, this hits the spot. Drink over the next 15 to 20 years. Tasted blind at the Burgfest 2016 tasting.
Anticipated maturity: 2023-2045
Robert Parker – 93
Still a little closed after its recent bottling, the 2016 Clos des Lambrays Grand Cru exhibits aromas of cassis, raspberries, currant leaf and potpourri. On the palate, it’s medium to full-bodied, ample and layered, with fine-grained tannins, creditable concentration and juicy acids, concluding with a fragrant finish. This isn’t as deep or multidimensional as the 2015 rendition, but it’s an elegant middle-weight Clos des Lambrays that should drink well for 20 years or more. Morey-Saint-Denis was spared hail in this vintage, and 2016 thus delivered the largest yield recorded at the Clos since 1999. It was vinified with around 85% whole cluster, and the finished pH of 3.46 is only a touch lower than the 2015’s pH of 3.48.
Anticipated maturity: 2022-2044
