Domaine Georges Lignier et Fils Clos de la Roche Grand Cru 2017

Clos de la Roche, people! One of Burgundy's most historic and revered clos from Georges Lignier’s six parcels totaling a single hectare of vines. This is the sort of Grand Cru Burgundy that collectors go mad for – and we scored an unbelievable 8 cases of this tiny and elusive production! Over $90 less than the typical retail makes this a must-have for any dyed-in-the-wool Burghound!

If you scored some of the Clos Saint-Denis from Georges Lignier that we offered a few months back, now is your chance to complete the set! This tiny producer is making big waves with their exceptional holdings, and this is the gem of their entire portfolio. 95 Points from Decanter is just scratching the surface of this wine’s potential – as Clos de la Roche is treasured as one of the most powerful and longest-lived vineyards in the region!

Today, the domaine of Georges Lignier is led by Benoit Stehly, the nephew of Georges Lignier, who learned the craft under his uncle for a decade prior to taking over in 2008. In the classic Georges Lignier style, he focuses primarily on aromatic complexity and concentration – whereas most vintners prioritize overall structure and color depth. Luckily, the very nature of Clos de la Roche has plenty of power and depth to spare, so this nuanced and elegant approach manages to pull out the best of both! This 2017 combines this sensuous rose petal perfume, with layer upon layer of fruit – ranging from bright and tart cranberry to sweet red cherries, with crisp plums, and ripe raspberries that balance the wine’s considerable spice and moderate oak framework. Overall this is the perfect combination of classic Clos de la Roche as seen through the lens of the prototypical Georges Lignier style – an integrated and nuanced melange of ripe and silky fruit, aromatic perfume, pronounced saline minerality (a hallmark of the site), and the structure and framework to evolve gorgeously over the decades. What more could one want in a fine, Grand Cru, single-site Red Burgundy? Factor in our spectacular price and rest assured that savvy collectors will be all over this great bottling!

PAIRING IDEAS: If opting to drink this young, go up a notch or two in sheer heartiness, and don’t be afraid to pair this with a nicely marbled steak! Some wagyu hanger steak would be my preference, prepared simply and served alongside some sauteed mushrooms and a silky pomme puree. If you hold the course and manage to age this for a decade plus, give it a go with some goat cheese – I’d suggest a nice Tomme Brebis-Chevre from the French Pyrenees.