Domaine du Comte Liger Belair   La Romanee

2008 La Romanee

By Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair

2008 La Romanee from Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair, Burgundy

In the fabric of Burgundian viticulture, some vintages rise to a crescendo that resonates across the terroir with profound intensity. One such vintage, the 2008 La Romanee from Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair, strikes a chord with the sophisticated nuances endowed by its birth year – a season marked by growers for its challenging start and an extraordinary finish. My encounters with the pedigree of this wine have taken me through numerous tastings, where one discerns the narrative of its origin through each sensory exploration.

 

Decoding the Vintage: A Tapestry of Extremes

The narrative of 2008 in Burgundy was penned by unpredictable weather, yet culminated in an unexpected success story, where meticulous vineyard management became paramount. The coolness of this year translated into a tense backbone of acidity within the wines, affording them a remarkable ageing potential. This is where the mastery of Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair comes to the fore; their ability to orchestrate harmony between climate and vine yielded an exceptional La Romanee that embodies the vintage's unique character.

On nosing the 2008 La Romanee, one is greeted by an enigmatic bouquet: wisps of fresh rose petals are anchored by earthy undertones – a whispering promise of the unfolding drama between fruit and terroir. The palate evokes a labyrinthine complexity; red cherries and blackcurrants dance among the softer echoes of seasoned oak, while fine-grained tannins weave throughout, championing the wine's structural elegance.

It is this eloquent balance – the quiet authority of ripe fruit juxtaposed against a vibrant mineral streak – that renders a vintage like 2008 unforgettable within the echelons of fine wine investment. As time furthers its guilding touch upon this already remarkable vintage, one that has evolved astonishingly since bottling, its value to collectors and investors continues to soar ever upward.

 

Summing Up the Sensory Symphony

Embarking on a journey with the 2008 La Romanee from Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair is akin to unravelling a tapestry woven with threads both precious and rare. This wine stands as a testament not only to an extraordinary vintage but also to the unwavering dedication of a storied producer. For connoisseurs and investors alike, this vintage is an impeccable showcase of Burgundian majesty, one that promises to mature with grace and distinction within any discerning collection.

Market price (USD)

$48,470.00

12x75cl

Highest score

96

POP score

2481.88

Scores and tasting notes

96

Tasted at the La Romanée vertical at Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair. The 2008 La Romanée Grand Cru is a step up from the charming 2007: revving into fifth gear and delivering some gorgeous, slightly savoury red fruit tinged with bacon fat and dried rose petals. The delineation here is divine. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin. There is still just a touch of oak to be absorbed but that will be soaked up. What I like here is the weight and the weightlessness, a paradoxical wine that delivers intensity without too much effort. The symmetry on the finish is just wonderful. This is a great wine in the making. Tasted June 2015.

Neal Martin - The Wine Advocate, 30 July 2015

Vintage performance