- 94 points -

Made from purchased fruit and sold under Thibault Liger-Belair’s négociant label, this
comes from a limestone-rich site in the norther part of the village. There were no whole bunches in 2014 (there are normally 30%), leaving the pure red berry finesse to express itself. Fluid, floral and subtle, with palate-caressing texture. 2017-22

- 93 points -

- 92 points -

A beautifully elegant, spicy and intensely floral nose exhibits notes of violets and
rose petal along with primarily red berry fruit scents that are framed in a hint of wood. There is a lacy mouth feel yet fine intensity to the delineated middle weight flavors that exhibit plenty of backend minerality on the balanced, long and sophisticated finish. Lovely juice that should reward a decade plus of keeping.

- 91 points -

Outstanding

Like many of the wines in the range there is a distinctly floral character to the elegant and cool combination of red currant, plum and sandalwood scents. There is a lush, even opulent mouth feel to the silky and pure medium weight flavors that possess excellent depth on the balanced and impressively long finish. Despite the seductive character of the mid-palate this really tightens up fast on the finish so the structure will require on the order of a decade to fully resolve.

- 91 points -

(30% whole clusters). A discreetly floral nose exhibits attractive spice elements on the primarily red and dark berry fruit aromas. There is good vibrancy to the markedly generous yet detailed medium-bodied flavors that possess fine complexity on the lightly saline-inflected and solidly persistent finish. Lovely.

(90-92) Points

An exceptionally pretty if quite restrained nose speaks of red pinot fruit liqueur, floral and spice scents. There is good volume and plenty of dry extract to the rich, round and utterly delicious medium-bodied flavors that are supported by moderately firm tannins on the balanced and lacy finish. This is a lovely and relatively understated Chambolle 1er that should be approachable on the younger side if desired.

(90-93) POINTS

(40% vendange entier; 50% new oak; this wine was not made in 2016 owing to the frost): Bright, dark red. Terrific crushed-rock lift to the red berry and floral aromas. Suave and fine-grained on entry, then larger-scaled on the back half, opening out and building on the finish. Tannins are dusty and broad. Very shy now but leaves behind a lovely perfume in the empty glass.

(89-92) Points

(Liger-Belair vinified this wine with some whole clusters--30%--for the first time, in an attempt to extend its finish): Good deep red. At once wild and delicate on the nose, offering perfumed scents of raspberry, fraise des bois and minerals. Sweet, plush and fine-grained but with a light touch for its density. Finishes with a saline element and good mineral lift. The whole clusters add an herbal accent but the wine does not come across as green.

(89-92) Points

(50% new oak; 25 hectoliters per hectare; destemmed owing to the flies): Healthy bright red. Slightly reduced aromas of dark cherry, spices and crushed rock lifted by a refined floral quality. Juicy, dry and very primary; this unforthcoming, rocky wine is hiding more than it's showing today. Best now on the perfumed, firmly tannic, lingering finish. All in reserve. The Gruenchers finished its malolactic fermentation very late and like some of the following wines it may not be racked until after the winter, with the bottling taking place as late as June or July.

(89-92) POINTS

An appealingly perfumed nose is composed by notes of wood, spice, red currant and soft spice nuances. I like the density of the decidedly powerful and muscular middle weight plus flavors that possess fine volume before concluding in a dusty, saline and impressively persistent finale. This is sufficiently firmly structured that it should need most of a decade to resolve the underlying tannins.