2013 Vosne Romanee Clos du Chateau Monopole
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Tasting notes
The 2013 Vosne-Romanée Clos du Château from Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair was a little disappointing. The wine is very attractive on the nose, offering up a pretty bouquet of raw cocoa, rose petal, cinnamon, orange rind and red berries, but the palate impression, while nicely balanced, is rather light and ephemeral, its finish decidedly evanescent. Shortly after release, this wine was deliciously dramatic, but as its framing of new oak has faded, it has begun to seem a little pedestrian.
Critic scores
Average Score
Neal Martin, Wine Advocate
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Good medium red. Lower-toned on the nose than the La Colomière, showing less perfumed lift and primary fruit. Fat, savory and sweet in the mouth, with decent framing acidity, but distinctly more saline than the Colomière and a bit reduced from start to finish. A more soil-driven style of Vosne-Romanée, but lifted by a hint of rose petal. The tannins are a bit drier than those of the Colomière.
Liger-Belair's 2013 Vosne-Romanée Clos du Château shows traces of its recent bottling two months before this tasting, yet all the signature are very much in place. Lifted and ethereal, the Clos du Chateau shows its typical aromatic lift and silkiness. As is usually the case, floral and savory notes dominate over palate texture in an especially feminine, gracious Vosne that drinks well even at this early stage.
(bottled in late September; the rest of these 2013s were tasted from barrel and had not yet been racked or sulfured): Medium red. Musky, slightly reduced aromas of raspberry and truffle; a bit wild. Smooth and savory on the palate; less sweet and fleshy than the nose would suggest as the fruit is suppressed following the recent bottling. The rather subdued finish features an even dusting of tannins and good lift.
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.