Domaine Leflaive   Batard Montrachet

1997 Batard-Montrachet

By Domaine Leflaive

1995 Nuits St Georges les Cras from Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair

The hallowed terroirs of Burgundy consistently offer the connoisseur an opportunity for deep exploration, with Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair crafting expressions of place that etch themselves into the memory. The 1995 Nuits St Georges les Cras from this venerable house has reached an admirable stage of evolution, and any discourse on the vintage must acknowledge the climatic idiosyncrasies that have sculpted its profile.

 

Bespoke Vintage, Curated Elegance

The '95 vintage was one characterized by challenge and triumph. Adequate warmth throughout the growing season was serenaded by timely rainfall, creating a canvas upon which the 1995 Nuits St Georges les Cras could articulate its distinctive narrative. This wine is knitted with precision, a tapestry of layered complexity attributed to the unique climatic influences of its birth year. Investable not only for its pedigree but also for its embodiment of a season's tale.

 

Tasting Through Time

A tasting in the present day reveals the agility of this wine to transcend time. Earth and fruit converge in a harmonious symphony where tertiary notes now pirouette among matured berries and undercurrents of spice. The tannins have unfolded into supple threads that bind the wine's muscular structure with an air of gracefulness afforded by age.

Investment in such a vintage carries more than potential monetary reward; it offers a sensory window into a remarkable year. The depth and vigour within this particular bottle from Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair renders it an accentuated version of its younger self, radiating with lush textures and complex layers that are irrevocably shaped by the idiosyncratic climate of 1995.

In conclusion, the 1995 Nuits St Georges les Cras stands as a testament to adaptability and finesse. Beyond mere acquisition, it signifies participation in Burgundy's unfolding legacy—the storied soil, the variegated seasons, and the alchemy of winemaking—all converging into a crescendo of sensory enjoyment for those discerning investors who value both heritage and taste.

Market price (GBP)

£12,900.00

12x75cl

Highest score

92

POP score

1075

Scores and tasting notes

91-93

Leflaive’s fabulous 1997 Batard-Montrachet offers super-ripe aromas of candied apples intermingled with minerals, chalk, sea salt, and racy lemons. This concentrated wine has awesome density, medium-to-full body, and layers of mouth-coating grilled almonds, citrus fruits, crisp pears, and toasted oak. Unlike most of the other 1997 Batards, it has exceptional balance, delineation, and class. It should be at its peak between 2002 and 2010. Importer: Wilson Daniels, St. Helena, CA; (707) 963-9661.

Robert Parker Jr - The Wine Advocate, 20 June 1999

Vintage performance