Visit Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair – Re-tasting of the 2016s from cask

Re-taste of the 2016s from Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair … a delightful occupation. I first tasted the 2016s in June 2017, and while most of the wines showed well on that occasion, the extra six months of elevage have defined, detailed and clarified the picture of the wines.

No doubt Louis-Michel Liger-Belair have done very well indeed with the 2016 vintage – and with a biodynamic approach the wines seems very balanced and effortless – even the cuvées that are strongly affected by the April 2016 frost are showing a gorgeous equipoise and equilibrium – without the somewhat stressed feel found in some 2016 wines.

The wines here are made with a gentle hand, and although 100% new oak is used, the wines have maintained a gorgeous inner energy and they do feel very free and unforced.

Clearly there are large variations in yield in this vintage due to the frost – but somehow the lineup is nevertheless very harmonious despite these differences ..

The 2016s at Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair

I’m pretty much aligned with the conclusion from the tasting of these wines in June 2017, although the individual notes are showing some more definition and detail – the wines are clearly more in their stride so to speak – after spending the summer and autumn in cask.

The 2016 vs 2015 question is also interesting – and while I do like the 2016s here, the 2015s are showing tremendously well – with a energetic cool stance – that not even the most optimistic tasters could not have hoped for when they tasted the 2015s in late 2016. Let me be clear – the 2015s are fabulous and bursting with both energy and generosity … they don’t come much better than that.

The 2016s do have many great qualities – and some of them can even (on a good day) match the 2015s – with their cool and intense style. Especially the wines with very low yields do have the stuffing and intensity to match the mighty 2015s.

It is however not a clash of the titans – it’s wine made for enjoyment, hence I do think that the 2016s are best seen on their own – and without trying to match them with the 2015 counterparts.

One can however often be surprised by the cool intensity of the 2016s – and they are indeed lovely on their own.

Tasting notes for the Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair 2016s

The 2016s were re-tasted on November 10th 2017 in the company of a couple of other Gentlemen of the press.

Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair, Vosne Romanee 2016

The generic Vosne-Romanee was not tasted in June 2017, so first note. The nose offer plenty of juicy fruit – quite floral with a fine complexity – notes of violets, peony rose .. and a nice mineral impression. On the palate vibrant and energetic – really showing well for it’s level – good intensity.

(Drink From 2025) – Very Good+ – (90 – 91p) – Tasted 10/11/2017 – from CASK

Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair, Vosne Romanee Colombiere 2016

The Vosne-Romanee Colombiere is clearly a step up, and showing more composure than when tasted in June 2017. In the nose vibrantly expressive fruit – red and dark berries (slight reduction still). On the palate rather intense compared to the two other Vosne villages with an elegant cool fruit. This is a top end Vosne village for the vintage – although it does pose quite a contrast to it’s brother from the Clos above. Lovely cool and energetic stance.

(Drink From 2025) – Very Good++ – (90 – 91p) – Tasted 10/11/2017 – from CASK

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Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair, Vosne Romanee Clos du Chateau 2016

The Clos du Chateau 2016 was served from tank – waiting to be bottled mid December. It is a contrast to the Colombiere at this stage and in general – a more expressive, refined and floral wine. The nose offer lovely floral red and dark fruits – red forest berries and hints of blueberries – all brought forward by lovely spicy notes of violets, cinnamon and rose petals. On the palate airy, energetic and even feisty red fruit – very organic feel – and with a tremendous energy. Not bigger than La Colombiere .. but more expressive and refined in my view.

(Drink from 2025) – Fine – (92p) – Tasted 10/11/2017 – from CASK

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Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair, Vosne Romanee Les Chaumes 2016

The Vosne-Romanee Les Chaumes is a delightfully cool wine – floral (20% whole cluster). This is showing very vibrant and expressive after spending the autumn in cask. The nose is bursting with red berries – very floral and with a nice chalky hint of minerality – extrovert and charming. On the palate lovely energy – medium weight – finely balanced and with a nice expression of terroir. Lovely freshness and focus …

(Drink from 2026) – Fine – (92 – 93p) – Tasted 10/11/2017 – from CASK

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Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair, Vosne Romanee Les Suchots 2016

Les Suchots was quite badly affected by the frost in 2016 – hence low yields and higher intensity. It’s cool and quite energetic – very focused and balanced with a fine floral hint. The nose offer lovely red and dark berries – spiced by violets, peony rose and a nice intense minerality. On the palate quite intense fruit – mid-palate concentration unusually fine for a Suchots (presumably thanks to the low yields). Lovely potential here ..

(Drink from 2027) – Very Fine – (93 – 94p) – Tasted 19/06/2017 – from CASK

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Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair, Vosne Romanee Petits Monts 2016

First taste of the Vosne-Romanee Les Petits Monts 2016. This is a gorgeous wine – although slightly reduced currently. The nose is brimming with sensual fruit – red and dark berries – infused with a lovely filigree mineral hint. On the palate gorgeous energy … vibrant fruit brought forward by a lovely cool acidity and a quite strong yet delicate minerality. Magnificent balance and focus .. what a delight.

(Drink from 2028) – Outstanding – (94 – 95p) – Tasted 19/06/2017 – from CASK

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Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair, Vosne Romanee Aux Brulees 2016

The Vosne-Romanee Aux Brulees is sadly not made for commercial use .. but only used for tastings and charity events. As mentioned after the first tasting in June 2017 – the 2016 edition of this wine is truly magnificent. The nose is very generous and quite expressive offering multible layers of red berry fruit – forest strawberries, pomegranate – spiced with peony rose and allspice. On the palate lovely acidity, multiple layers of energetic fruit – airy and effortless – a true beauty.

(Drink from 2028) – Outstanding – (94 – 95p) – Tasted 10/11/2017 – from CASK

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Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair, Nuits-St-Georges Aux Cras 2016

First taste of the NSG Aux Cras 2016. This is quite Nuits-Saint-Georges in it’s expression in this vintage – relatively dark focussing somewhat on the structural side. The nose offer plenty of fruit – predominantly darker berries – infused with a relatively stony minerality – but with a charming Vosne perfume to charm us. On the palate quite intense and powerful with plenty of mineral expression and energy.

(Drink from 2028) – Very Fine – (93 – 94p) – Tasted 10/11/2017 – from CASK

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Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair, Nuits-St-Georges Clos des Grandes Vignes 2016

Nuits Saint Georges Clos des Grandes Vignes was badly hit by the April frost. The white was destroyed and the yield for the red is very limited indeed – 4.5 casks from 1.12 ha of vines! That’s around 9 hl per ha – one third of a normal yield. This is a very intense and rather concentrated wine – yet it does feel both vibrant and airy. The nose is brimming with layers of red and dark fruit – cherries, strawberries and pomegranate – infused with a nice mineral note. On the palate layers of juicy fruit – quite weighty but still with a vivacious character. Great work finding the zen like balance and lightness in this low yield cuvée.

(Drink from 2027) – Very Fine+ – (94 – 95p) – Tasted 10/11/2017 – from CASK

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Lastest Tasting Notes for this producer

• Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair Echezeaux 2019
• Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair Vosne-Romanée 2014
• Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair Nuits-Saint-Georges Aux Cras 2014
• Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair Echezeaux 2014
• Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair Vosne-Romanée Clos du Château 2014
• Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair Vosne-Romanée La Colombière 2009
• Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair Vosne-Romanée Clos du Chateau 2013
• Domaine Liger-Belair Vosne-Romanée Clos du Chateau 2007 in magnum
• Domaine Liger-Belair Vosne-Romanée Clos du Chateau 2018
• Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair Vosne Clos du Chateau 2009
• Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair, Vosne Clos de Chateau 2009
• Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair, Vosne Clos du Chateau 2016
• Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair, Echezeaux 2009
• Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair, Echezeaux 2009
• Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair, La Romanee 2006
• Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair, Vosne-Romanee Aux Reignots 2009
• Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair, Vosne Clos du Chateau 2015
• Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair, La Romanee 2010
• Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair, Vosne Clos du Chateau 2011
• Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair, Echezeaux 2011

All tasting notes for Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair (click here)

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