Domaine Dujac   Clos de la Roche

1996 Clos de la Roche

By Domaine Dujac

1996 Clos de la Roche from Domaine Dujac, Burgundy, France

In the pantheon of Burgundian nectars, the 1996 Clos de la Roche from Domaine Dujac stands as a testament to the union of a masterful vigneron and a vintage kissed by the gods. The year 1996 remains etched in my memory as one of Burgundy's quintessential vintages, a season that endowed this wine with a structural fortitude that’s both profound and poised—as though each grape learned ballet.

 

The Investment Virtue of Distinction

Fine wine investors seek out the rarities, the vintages which speak of their time and terroir with unparalleled clarity. In this regard, the 1996 Clos de la Roche from Domaine Dujac is an exemplary selection. Through the reverent hands of the Seysses family, this vintage captures that elusive alchemy of power and elegance typically pursued in premier investment-grade wines.

 

Anatomy of a Prime Vintage: 1996 Clos de la Roche

The sedate procession towards maturity has graced this wine with an aplomb rarely matched even amongst its illustrious peers. I recall 1996 as a year where Mother Nature adhered closely to vignerons' prayers—sun-dappled days with just enough rain to whisper life into the roots without drowning ambition.

This wine's aromatic profile has now unfurled into a compendium of nuances: dark cherries serenade tart raspberry whilst earthy underbrush plays hospitably with the vestiges of finely interlaced tannins. On the palate, it astounds with layers; an initial bright acidity mellows to reveal a symphony wherein each note contributes to a crescendo—a finale that's both prolonged and sumptuously textured.

If one seeks a tangible illustration of 'Climat'—that Burgundian blend of soil, slope, and sensation—the 1996 Clos de la Roche from Domaine Dujac delivers incontrovertibly. It remains a cornerstone within a refined collector's portfolio, not merely for its flavour but for its embodiment of an exceptional vintage's character.

As I revisit this particular wine, allowing it to pirouette across my palate, I am reminded why certain years echo eternally through the cellars of time. The '96 vintage stands as one such echo—a refrain that whispers "invest" not only in wine but in memories.

Market price (CAD)

$36,700.00

12x75cl

Highest score

90

POP score

2205

Scores and tasting notes

90

The 1996 Clos de la Roche Grand Cru is looking mature in color. It has a lovely natural bouquet with loose-knit red fruit, tea leaves, bay leaf and touches of orange rind. "Autumnal" is the word that sprung to mind when Alec Seysses opened it at the domaine. The palate is medium-bodied with a slightly savory opening, crisp acidity and a little leafy. There is fine structure with quite a spicy, black pepper-tinged finish. Frankly, it ranks behind what I feel are superior wines in recent years, and my inclination would be to consume bottles now rather than later.

Neal Martin - The Wine Advocate, 30 December 2016

Vintage performance