1995 Domaine Hubert Lignier Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru

Deeply colored with smoke notes complementing the still primary mix of red and black fruits followed by ripe, rich, reasonably dense flavors and fine length. As is usually the case with the Lignier Charmes, this is quite stylish even though it's on the grapey side. A lovely Charmes-Chambertin that should need only a few more years of cellar time and should drink well over the next decade. Another recent bottle displayed a slightly odd herbal note and a mix of primary and secondary fruit aromas with the same flavor profile. I rated it 88/now.

Author: Allen Meadows

More laid-back nose shows darker aromas of cassis and violets. Fatter and sweeter in the mouth. As dense as the Combottes but perhaps ultimately less complex, and clearly different in shape and style. This is much more accessible now, and should reach its peak sooner. Romain says the Ligniers' Combottes is more regular in quality than their Charmes holding; he actually prefers the Combottes in '95, '93 and '91.

Author: Stephen Tanzer

Issue: March/April 1998