1995 Clos de la Roche

One of the highlights in this tasting, the 1995 Clos de la Roche (magnum) is a real stunner. All the elements come together effortlessly in the glass. Deep, powerful and intense, the 1995 comes across as a hypothetical combination of the 2005 and 2010, with the volume of fruit of the former and the energetic tannin of the latter. Sweet red cherry, plum, mint, chalk and rose petal infuse a deeply expressive, nuanced Clos de la Roche that is at its peak today. Above all else, the wine’s balance here is simply remarkable. Some tasters find the 1995 rustic. I don’t share that opinion.

This dark ruby-colored wine (originally rated 93-95 in Issue #111) displays enthralling scents of candied hazelnuts, stones, fresh herbs, blackberries, blueberries, plums, and wet gravel basking in the sun. It is just as extraordinary and complex on the palate as it is aromatically, offering an awesomely intense, broad, and expansive character. This full-bodied, mouth-coating, oily-textured, and juicy yet immensely rich wine is redolent with blackberry, cassis, cedar, stone, and briery flavors. Its stunningly long finish offers copious quantities of fruit complemented by supple tannins. Drink it between 2006 and 2020+. Bravo! I am ecstatic to announce that the Lignier's holdings in this wine have increased by 25%. A recent purchase of "a very good parcel" rounded out their ownership to an even 1 hectare (2.471 acres) of vines ranging from 32 to 40 years old. Roman Lignier, who reads this journal assiduously, felt as though I had under-appreciated this wine and he generously offered to allow me to re-taste it. He was right, I had underrated it. Importer: Neal Rosenthal, Select Vineyards, Shekomeko, NY; tel. (800) 910-1990.

This dark ruby-colored wine (originally rated 93-95 in Issue #111) displays enthralling scents of candied hazelnuts, stones, fresh herbs, blackberries, blueberries, plums, and wet gravel basking in the sun. It is just as extraordinary and complex on the palate as it is aromatically, offering an awesomely intense, broad, and expansive character. This full-bodied, mouth-coating, oily-textured, and juicy yet immensely rich wine is redolent with blackberry, cassis, cedar, stone, and briery flavors. Its stunningly long finish offers copious quantities of fruit complemented by supple tannins. Drink it between 2006 and 2020+. Bravo!||I am ecstatic to announce that the Lignier's holdings in this wine have increased by 25%. A recent purchase of "a very good parcel" rounded out their ownership to an even 1 hectare (2.471 acres) of vines ranging from 32 to 40 years old.||Roman Lignier, who reads this journal assiduously, felt as though I had under-appreciated this wine and he generously offered to allow me to re-taste it. He was right, I had underrated it. Wine Advocate.August, 1998