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Tasting notes
Tasted at the La Romanée vertical at Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair. The 1996 La Romanée Grand Cru was an estate bottling. Much deeper in colour than the 1995, the nose is stoic, reserved and has little to say. The palate is medium-bodied with chewy tannin, the fruit darker, blacker and more tarry than the 1995, seguing into a tannic, quite muscular, saline finish that feels brutish compared to other vintages. Plus, I cannot see it improving in bottle. Tasted June 2015.
Critic scores
Average Score
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Neal Martin, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
Another powerful, extracted Burgundy, the 1996 La Romanée offers notable richness, but limited finesse. The 1996 is especially intense, dark wine that comes across as forced and overdone, with searing tannins that aren't likely to fully soften. One can only wonder what might have been.
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.