Domaine Leflaive   Batard Montrachet

2013 Batard-Montrachet

By Domaine Leflaive

2011 Nuits St Georges les Cras from Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair, Burgundy

The exquisite 2011 Nuits St Georges les Cras from Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair presents a consummate example of what makes the Burgundy region so truly venerable among fine wine enthusiasts. This particular vintage emerged from a year that presented vignerons with ominous challenges but, in turn, rendered rewards through vigilance and verve.

 

A Vintage of Poise and Patience

Consider the climatic ballet of 2011 in Burgundy: a precocious spring followed by an oscillating summer resulted in heterogeneous ripening. This demanded astute judgement in harvest dates to capture the quintessence of Pinot Noir. Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair, under the stewardship of Louis-Michel Liger-Belair, demonstrated such discernment par excellence. The 2011 les Cras is a testament to this meticulous care; it proffers layers of complexity that involve the senses in the kind of dialogue only fine wine can articulate.

 

Finessed Elegance in Every Sip

Nestled in the embrace of the Les Cras vineyard, the grapes of this vintage benefitted from the limestone-rich soils, crafting a wine sculpted by its terroir. On the nose, the perfume is a harmonious mélange of cultivated earth, dark cherry and subtle spice notes – an arresting prelude to the palate's ovation. Despite its age, the 2011 offers vibrancy; supple tannins interlace with dark fruit nuances and a reverberating minerality unique to this climat, unfolding a serene finish that insists you pause to relish its poise.

An expressive and elegantly structured offering, this vintage aligns seamlessly with strategic wine investment portfolios. Not solely due to its esteemed provenance but also for its commendable ageing trajectory that promises further layers of complexity with time.

For connoisseurs seeking an addition that captures both an extraordinary year and the storied expertise of Burgundy's elite, securing bottles of the 2011 Nuits St Georges les Cras from Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair should be approached with alacrity. As it continues its graceful evolution, let it serve as an exemplar of how adversity can birth exceptional beauty — captured timelessly within each bottle.

Current market price

$15,250.00

12x75cl

Highest score

94

POP score

652.86

Scores and tasting notes

93-95

The 2013 Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru, like many from this vineyard, has an expressive and, compared to other vintages, you could almost say extravagant bouquet, bridled with intense citrus lemon, freshly sliced pear, limestone and even a faint touch of peppermint. The palate is intense on the entry with more depth than the Bienvenue at this stage. There is a pinch of spice here, shaved ginger adding a bit of fire at the front of the tongue, then attractive stony notes finally revealed on the finish and the aftertaste. Superb - for me perhaps superior to the 2012.

Neal Martin - The Wine Advocate, 29 December 2014

Vintage performance