The 2016 Domaine des Lambrays Clos des Lambrays Grand Cru Pinot Noir, produced by Domaine des Lambrays, hails from the esteemed Burgundy region in France, specifically the Cote de Nuits sub-region and Morey St Denis appellation. This wine has drawn significant acclaim from professional reviewers, consistently receiving high scores for its quality and complexity.
John Gilman of *View From The Cellar* awarded the wine an impressive 96 points, describing it as "one of the stars of the 2016 vintage." He praised its "stunning bouquet" featuring a complex mix of red and black cherries, black plums, pigeon, dark soil tones, raw cocoa, woodsmoke, and nutty oak. Gilman noted the wine's "pure, full-bodied" nature with "beautiful depth at the core," highlighting its "ripe, suave tannins" and "vibrant finish."
*Wine Spectator* also gave the wine a high score of 96, emphasizing its "racy style" and "bracing acidity" that propels flavors of black currant, blackberry, iron, earth, and spice to a "lingering conclusion." The publication suggests that the wine will reveal its full potential with more time, recommending it be enjoyed between 2022 and 2043.
*Robert Parker's Wine Advocate* acknowledged the wine's recent bottling, giving it 93 points. Reviewer WK described its aromas of "cassis, raspberries, currant leaf, and potpourri," and praised its "fine-grained tannins, creditable concentration, and juicy acids." The review also noted that the 2016 vintage was the largest yield recorded at Clos des Lambrays since 1999, with around 85% whole cluster vinification.
*Decanter* and *Burghound* both rated the wine 94 and 93 points, respectively. *Decanter* highlighted its "brooding bouquet of blueberry, wild berries, smoked duck, spice, and rosehip," while *Burghound* noted its "overtly floral suffused nose" with aromas of "red currant, rose petal, plum, and a hint of exotic spice."
Jasper Morris, from *Inside Burgundy*, also gave the wine 94 points, appreciating its "lively and fresh" character with "redcurrant alongside the raspberry" and "elegant, graceful" structure. He mentioned the wine's "medium body" and "light white pepper" notes, underscoring its "good acidity."
Overall, the 2016 Domaine des Lambrays Clos des Lambrays Grand Cru is celebrated for its elegance, complexity, and potential for aging, making it a standout Pinot Noir from the Burgundy region.