2011 Nuits St Georges Les Lavieres

The 2011 Nuits St. Georges Les Lavieres is tight on the nose, rather masculine and adorned with scents of wet woodland on an October morning. The palate is correct, very linear and perhaps foursquare, though it is well-balanced. My main quibble is the finish that lacks a little flesh and persistency in the mouth. Perhaps it will gather itself together with bottle age? Drink 2014-2019. I have been following Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair since the beginning of their “second coming” in 2001/2002, when Louis-Michel began taking back control of his propitiously located vineyards. Crowned by the monopole of La Romanee, they already had a head start, a scattering of parcels that instantly places the domaine in the first division. But that is not enough on its own. Over the last decade, the wines have become astonishingly refined and let us be frank, with prices to match. During the round of London tastings in January this year I refrained from taking any notes since Burgundy was not my ‘beat’. However, I did make an exception here, in part because of the sheer quality of the wines and also because it has become part of my January ritual. The original intention was to accommodate these notes on “Wine-Journal”, but I publish them here as part of my 2011 report for “The Wine Advocate”. Importers: Grand Cru Selections, New York, NY; tel. (212) 974-2500; and in the UK through Justerini & Brooks; tel. 0081339945935