2012 Vosne Romanee Clos du Chateau Monopole
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Tasting notes
The 2012 Vosne-Romanée Clos du Château again from Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair offers Morello cherries and damp loamy scents on the nose, perhaps just missing a little delineation. The palate is well-balanced with a slightly candied opening, moderate length and density yet it just pulls up a tad short on the finish. Drinking perfectly now.
Critic scores
Average Score
Allen Meadows, Burghound
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
The 2012 Vosne-Romanée Clos du Château offers up a lovely nose of wild strawberries, rose petal, baking spices and a touch of herbs, framed by attractive new oak. On the palate, the wine is supple and transparent, with delicate tannins and a sweet core of fruit. Like the 2013, however, this is less sumptuous and dramatic than it was on release and now seems to lack a bit of intensity and length.
The 2012 Vosne-Romanée Clos du Château offers a little more depth and textural richness than is often the case, which works nicely to balance some of the more overt savory notes that are typical. Crushed flowers, herbs and dried flowers are all nicely expressive on the lifted, precise finish.
(bottled in late September): Aromas of strawberry, raspberry and game. Dry but ripe, with good breadth to the plump red berry and smoke flavors. Not a particularly primary style of 2012 but with no shortage of ripeness. Finishes fresh and dry, with a smoky nuance. The highest in pH in the cellar in 2012, at around 3.7. (The round, sweet, lightly gamey Vosne-Romanee La Colombiere was too reduced to assess in November.)
About the producer
Since its rebirth in 2000, Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair has quickly become one of the most highly sought-after producers in Vosne-Romanée. The most prized wine from the estate is their monopole Grand Cru La Romanée.