Notes:
Producer note: Virgile Lignier was exceptionally happy with the quality of fruit he obtained in 2002, calling it "perfect in terms of overall quality. There was no rot at all, absolutely none and we had good to excellent sugars with everything coming in between 11.9 and 13.4% with very solid pHs in the 3.3 range. We began harvesting the 20th of September and the vinification was easy as the wines almost made themselves. We had low yields too because we did a severe green harvest in anticipation of an abundant crop and then the north wind blew and evaporated 20% of the moisture in the grapes, leaving us with a good deal less than we had in mind". I inquired as to what other vintage 2002 might reasonably resemble and Lignier didn't really think there was one but then volunteered that it might be resemble a "better balanced 1995". The wines will be bottled in December, which is several months earlier than usual, without fining or filtration. Note: Lignier has started a small ngociant activity with the wines to be sold under the Virgile Lignier name.
Tasting note: This too is astonishingly complex with perfumed, high-toned but very ripe red and black fruit aromas merging seamlessly with big, powerful, wonderfully intense, firmly structured flavors that just ooze sap, all of which are underpinned by dense but sophisticated tannins and fantastic length. It's interesting because the nose is opulent and expressive and the backend is reserved and even a bit austere at the moment and like all great wines, this too has impeccable balance. A terrific effort that should age effortlessly for two decades. 92 points
Burghound Jan '05
The estates 2002 Clos de la Roche reveals a nose of candied red fruits, spices, earth, smoke, and blackberries. Satin-textured and fleshy in the attack, it offers powerful waves of fleshy red fruits. Its extensive finish displays copious tannin, providing a firm backbone to the wines sappy fruit. This concentrated, complex effort should be drunk between 2007 and 2016 93-95 points
Wine Advocate #153
Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, Mar/Apr 05
Deep red-ruby. Vibrant, highly nuanced nose combines small red berries, minerals, smoked meat, mocha, underbrush and mint. Sweet, dense and sappy; boasts impressive volume without excess weight. Not a super-fleshy style but this has wonderful fruit. Very long on the aftertaste, but perhaps less subtle today than the Combottes. But there's more wine here. At once typical and strong. This is a no-brainer: buy it if you can find it and afford it. Lignier is high on the 2001 Clos de la Roche, and also singled out the '99 and '93 as two of his favorites over the past decade-plus. 94(+?) points
Hubert Lignier Clos de la Roche Grand Cru 2002
Reviews:
Burghound: 92
Wine Advocate: 93-95
Vinous Media: 94+
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