Lambrays-Clos Des Lambrays-Grand Cru 2014 (AM94)

Note: produced from two large parcels of differing vine age – one that is approximately two-thirds of the blend and is now 50+ years of age and a second; smaller group of vines that is approximately 25+ years of age; made with 100% whole clusters Producer note: Long-time régisseur (resident manager) Thierry Brouin joked that 2015 had about the easiest growing season that I can remember as there was really almost nothing to worry about but we worried anyway because you just never know what might happen! We picked the pinot on the 3rd of September and then brought in the chardonnay on the 5th. Yields were alright; neither high nor low at 31 hl/ha and potential alcohols were good but not better at 12.5%. I used between 50 and 100% whole clusters and did a slightly softer vinification as the skins were thick and thus the colors and tannins came easily. As to the wines; they are ripe but fresh with plenty of power and concentration but they are well-balanced and thus should age effortlessly. My take on the Lambrays 2015s is that they slightly out-performed the general quality of the vintage. Brouin told me that the brilliant 2014 Clos; revisited below; was bottled in March 2016. Tasting note: A notably spicy; fresh; cool and floral nose displays mostly red berry fruit scents that are trimmed in discreet earth notes. There is excellent cut and definition to the nicely rich and attractively textured flavors that culminate in a presently austere finale though I doubt that austerity will persist. This is a relatively fine and forward vintage for Clos des Lambrays and one that should be approachable after only 7 to 8 years of bottle age. In a word; marvelous.