2009 Montrachet
By Domaine de la Romanee-Conti
2007 Nuits St Georges Aux Lavieres from Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair, Burgundy
Transcending the mortal coil of mere wine, the 2007 Nuits St Georges Aux Lavieres from Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair stands as a testament to the winemaker's art in an intriguing vintage. In my four decades of tasting Burgundy's finest, few vintages have required such deft handling as 2007, a year when the vigneron's mettle was truly tested by nature. Yet within this crucible, the deft touch of Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair crafted a triumph.
An Insight into the 2007 Vintage
The weather patterns of 2007 in Burgundy were a pastiche of climatic chameleonism. An unexpectedly clement spring gave way to an erratic summer marred by bouts of rain and coolness. However, it was the skill with which Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair navigated these capricious elements that birthed a wine of formidable character. The aux Lavieres vineyard, being sited on a particularly well-drained slope, proved its worth under these testing conditions.
Complexity Born of Contrast
The splendour of this wine is found in its layered complexity; a cerebral synthesis marrying the vibrancy of red fruits to an earthy undertone that speaks of sous-bois and spice. A whiff is sufficient to evoke the thoughtfully nurtured terroir within which these Pinot Noir vines have deeply entwined their roots. On tasting, the 2007 Nuits St Georges Aux Lavieres serenades with poised acidity juxtaposed against fine-grained tannins – a duality that offers depth and longevity, making it a choice candidate for astute fine wine investors.
Now at an age where grace melds with wisdom, the 2007 offering from Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair is a textured tapestry on the palate, positioning it as one of the more cerebral picks for collectors. Its ability to articulate both time and terroir ranks it among those vintages that are not merely tasted but experienced.
A Distinctive Investment Prospect
To consider the 2007 Nuits St Georges Aux Lavieres for investment is to hold an understanding that true vinous excellence is often wrought from challenge. The expression presented by this particular Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair harvest delivers an eloquent argument for allocation in any diversified investment portfolio. Its narrative weaves together the tale of a vintage shaped by adversity and ennobled by human skill—a compelling combination for connoisseurs and investors alike.
Market price (HKD)
HK$1,098,810.00
12x75cl
Highest score
96
POP score
7184.38
Scores and tasting notes
The 2009 Montrachet has come together beautifully since I last tasted it from barrel. From barrel the 2009 was super-ripe and almost tropical but it seems to have settled down over the last year. There is still plenty of signature 2009 richness and ripeness, but the wine’s minerality is now much more present. A brilliant, textured finish rounds things out in style. Overall, the 2009 is a mid-weight Montrachet. I would love to see it age for several decades, but it takes a pretty courageous soul to age white Burgundy these days. Anticipated maturity: 2014+. Domaine de la Romanee-Conti’s 2009s have turned out just as brilliantly as I had hoped. The wines reflect the signature qualities of the year, but never lose their essential classicism. Long-time DRC fans know the domaine bottles in six-barrel lots, which naturally introduces a level of bottle variation that is not found in most other wines. I hope the massive amount of information that has recently come to light regarding counterfeit wines and their proliferation might be the catalyst for the domaine to consider bottling their wines in one homogenous lot, as is common for the vast majority of high-quality wines throughout the world. Once the domaine’s wines mature in 20-30 years it will be impossible to tell the difference between ‘normal’ bottle variation, poorly stored bottles and very good fakes. Certainly consumers who are willing and able to pay the prices these wines fetch are at the very least deserving of a consistent product. Importer: Wilson-Daniels, St. Helena, CA; tel. (707) 963-9661
Antonio Galloni - The Wine Advocate, 25 April 2012