The 2020 Domaine des Lambrays Clos des Lambrays Grand Cru is a Pinot Noir from the esteemed Burgundy region in France, specifically from the Cote de Nuits sub-region and Morey St Denis appellation. This wine represents a standout vintage, celebrated for its depth, complexity, and excellent aging potential.
Decanter awarded the wine an impressive 97 points, noting that "the 2020 Clos des Lambrays was still somewhat impenetrable, with an inky black colour and concentrated aromas of plum and mulberry touched with wood spice, violets, and earth." The wine's texture was described as dense yet appealingly velvety. The 2020 vintage was historically significant as the earliest ever, harvested between August 20-26, and marked the first year of biodynamic viticulture.
Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate also gave a high score of 96 points. Reviewer William Kelley praised its "deep bouquet of cassis, wild berries, rose petals, sweet spices and dark chocolate," describing it as full-bodied, layered, and rich with a long, mouthwatering finish. Kelley emphasized that this vintage stands out as "the finest Clos des Lambrays of the 21st century—for now!"
Vinous, another respected publication, matched this score with 96 points, highlighting the wine’s ripe and generous nose, which was more intense than the 2021 vintage. Neal Martin noted scents of "cranberry, wild strawberry, potpourri and oyster shell," and commended its well-delineated palate marked by svelte tannins and a hint of graphite towards the poised finish.
Jasper Morris, Inside Burgundy, rated the wine between 96-98 points, emphasizing the wine's deep, dense dark fruit and powerful underlying dark raspberry. Morris appreciated the wine's "crystalline limestone purity behind the sweetly ripe red berry fruit," and its long, complex finish with significant yet unobtrusive tannins.
Wine Spectator also awarded the wine 96 points, describing it as "a fresh red, with black currant and black cherry flavors shaded by floral, iron, earth and spice elements." The review noted the wine's fluid elegance and solid tannic framework, predicting it will develop further complexity with age, best from 2027 through 2048.
Overall, the 2020 Domaine des Lambrays Clos des Lambrays Grand Cru is a highly acclaimed wine, praised for its rich bouquet, layered texture, and exceptional aging potential, making it a noteworthy addition to any collector's cellar.
