Domaine des Lambrays   Clos des Lambrays

2013 Clos des Lambrays

By Domaine des Lambrays

2013 Clos des Lambrays from Domaine des Lambrays, Burgundy, France

The venerable 2013 vintage of the Clos des Lambrays from Domaine des Lambrays offers a magnificent example of the balance between climate adversity and skilled winemaking. My long-standing acquaintance with the vintages of this distinguished domain allows me to confidently navigate the nuances that each year etches upon the wines produced from their hallowed terroir.

 

An Exemplar of Resilience and Finesse

The year 2013 proved challenging for many Burgundian winegrowers due to a hesitant start to the growing season and an erratic summer. Yet, the fortitude and deft cultivation by Domaine des Lambrays bore fruit in the form of an intimate vintage with compelling characteristics.

This particular vintage - the 2013 Clos des Lambrays - illustrates the intricate interplay of a cooler vintage's restraint and a Grand Cru's inherent potency. It has lent itself to a wine that greets the palate with austerity and evolves with a slow burn of luminosity. Aromatics of sous-bois and delicate florals are met with a subtle yet pervasive minerality that serves as a testament to its terroir.

 

Investing in Burgundian Brilliance

An investment in such a Burgundy is not merely in liquid assets but in an artisanal legacy. The austere conditions under which this particular vintage was cultivated have amplified its long-term maturation potential, making it an attractive prospect for fine wine investors seeking distinction amid their collections.

The 2013 Clos des Lambrays, proffering its narrative laced with tenacity and triumph over climatic trials, stands as one of those rarified expressions where patinaed elegance meets investor prudence. This wine does not merely hold its worth; it promises to flourish within the cellars of those insightful enough to perceive its subtle yet enduring opulence.

In essence, this specific bottling reflects an enduring dedication to winemaking despite the erratic heartbeat of nature – ensuring that each sip resonates with raw authenticity and curated craft, rendering it as a prudent addition to any discerning collection.

Current market price

$4,493.61

12x75cl

Highest score

93

POP score

207.69

Scores and tasting notes

93

Tasted blind at the Burgfest tasting in Beaune, the 2013 Clos des Lambrays Grand Cru is a divisive wine, not one for those seeking layer upon layer of fruit. It is more mature in appearance than its peers, perhaps missing the fruit intensity one would anticipate from a grand cru of this stature. There is something a little "dusty attic" here although that ebbs away with time in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with a slightly leafy entry, gentle and elegant, full of personality. It is missing the weight and volume that a more benevolent vintage would have lent and it does not quite possess the structure or substance to suggest long-term. Yet, it remains a well-crafted and to put it prosaically, is absolutely delicious. Tasted September 2016.

Neal Martin - The Wine Advocate, 30 November 2016

Vintage performance