The Tb points given to this wine are the world’s most valid and most up-to-date evaluation of the quality of the wine. Tastingbook points are formed by the Tastingbook algorithm which takes into account the wine ratings of the world's best-known professional wine critics, wine ratings by thousands of tastingbook’s professionals and users, the generally recognised vintage quality and reputation of the vineyard and winery. Wine needs at least five professional ratings to get the Tb score. Tastingbook.com is the world's largest wine information service which is an unbiased, non-commercial and free for everyone.
Wine Description
The Story
La Romanée's tiny 0.84ha, under half the size of its neighbour La Romanée-Conti, make it the smallest Appellation Controlée in France. A monopoly of the Liger Belair family since the 1830s, La Romanée is just above La Romanée-Conti and therefore has a slightly steeper slope and shallower soil. Since 2002 the wine has been made by Vicomte Louis Michel Liger-Belair who heads up the Domaine du Comte Liger Belair estate, turning La Romanée into one of the truely great Burgundies it always had the potential to be. Though closed and reserved in its youth, the wine habitually displays an elegance and haunting brilliance, and after a minimum of 7-10 year's bottle age blossoms into one of the very best red wines in Burgundy, if not the world. Approximately 300 cases are made each year.
Louis-Michel Liger-Belair’s wines keep getting better. The improvement is less a reflection of the underlying vintages and more the result of the work the estate has done to convert their vineyards to biodynamic farming. These are some of the most unique and compelling wines being made anywhere in Burgundy. The house style emphasizes the weightless transparency, finesse and sweetness that only Pinot Noir (and perhaps Nebbiolo) is capable of. As good as the 2010s are, the 2009s have also turned out beautifully. I will report on those wines in the April issue. Readers may also want to check out my video interview with Louis-Michel Liger-Belair posted on www.erobertparker.com for more historical perspective on the domaine.
Wine Information
93-96 points Allen Meadows - Burghound
Moderate reduction unfortunately blocks a proper evaluation of the nose but the gorgeously complex and sophisticated medium-bodied flavors also possess excellent dry extract that buffers the dense but fine tannins on the balanced and superbly persistent finish that exhibits a bit less youthful austerity than I typically see. This really opens on the finish with simply marvelous breadth. A magnificent wine of class and indisputable grace. (1/2010)
96 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
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. (7/2015)
95 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar
Good medium red. Dark raspberry, earthy spices, mint, minerals, game and smoky minerality on the nose. Dense and energetic; large-scaled and brooding. This boasts the spherical texture and fat of a riper year. Perhaps not as brilliantly delineated as the Reignots today but this is plusher, broader and deeper wine. Finishes extremely long, scented and subtle, with firm tannic grip. (3/2011)
Vintage 2008
An indifferent spring caused uneven flowering and mildew risk. At the end of June the weather changed for the better, continuing into July. Apart from local hail in the Côte de Beaune at the end of July, the summer began well. August arrived fairly cold and variable, but fortunately the last week of the month brought fine, warm weather. The lead-up to harvest saw sunny skies, apart from two days of rain in mid-September. A challenging vintage.
From day one the red wines have had a rich, pure fruit character with fine, silky tannins. The whites offer a good balance between ripe fruit and vibrant acidity. A vintage not to be overlooked because the wines deliver potential and pleasure.
