2008 Domaine du Comte Liger Belair, La Romanee Grand Cru 1x750ml

Robert Parker 96

Tasted at the La Romanee vertical at Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair. The 2008 La Romanee Grand Cru is a step up from the charming 2007: revving into fifth gear and delivering some gorgeous, slightly savoury red fruit tinged with bacon fat and dried rose petals. The delineation here is divine. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin. There is still just a touch of oak to be absorbed but that will be soaked up. What I like here is the weight and the weightlessness, a paradoxical wine that delivers intensity without too much effort. The symmetry on the finish is just wonderful. This is a great wine in the making. Tasted June 2015. [Neal Martin, 28/09/2017]

Anticipated maturity: 2020-2050

Vinous 94+

The 2008 is a powerful, vibrant La Romanee, but it is the slight element of lingering reduction that gives me the greatest pause. Enticing scents of dried rose petal, crushed flowers, mint and herbs open up first. Even with time in the glass, the 2008 remains a tightly wound ball of energy, with compelling inner sweetness and lovely savory undertones that all build to a crescendo on the intense, saline-driven finish. Ideally, the 2008 needs the better part of the next decade to come together. It will be interesting to see if the reductive notes dissipate over time. [Antonio Galloni, 03/01/2016]

Anticipated maturity: 2023-2048