2018 Domaine Hubert Lignier Gevrey Chambertin 1er Cru Aux Combottes, Burgundy

This comes from a plot of 15 ares, the vines were planted in 1957. This vineyard is right on the Gevrey/Morey border and is surrounded by the Grand Crus of Latricières Chambertin to the north, Charmes Chambertin to the east and Clos de La Roche on it’s southern and western sides! The soil is composed of sand, clay and silt. The wines are concentrated and elegant, deep and complex. This vineyard produecs wines that are a little closed when young, but with age blossom.

One of the most explosive wines in the range is the 2018 Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Aux Combottes, a beautiful bottling that soars from the glass with scents of orange rind, sweet wild berries, licorice and soil tones. Medium to full-bodied, succulent and supple, it's ample and enveloping, caressing the palate with its generous core of concentrated fruit and its exquisitely refined tannins.

92-94 points William Kelley robertparker.com

Laurent Lignier has once again produced a fine vintage for both his domaine holdings and négociant sources—the latter, amounting to some 3.5 hectares of vines, now clearly distinguished in our reviews. As readers will know, winemaking is pretty classical at this address, with a short cold maceration, two to three weeks' maceration with one pigéage and one rémontage per day, and maturation in barrels, some third of which are new—if possible, without racking—for fully 22 months. Lignier began picking on September 4 and finished eight days later, reporting finished alcohols which, with only a couple of exceptions, are below 14%. The two pieces of news are the Lignier is now certified organic since May 2019, and that he is producing a new cuvée of Clos de la Roche, the story of which is told in the accompanying tasting notes.

The 2018 Gevrey-Chambertin Aux Combottes 1er Cru includes one-third whole bunch. It has an intense, detailed bouquet of red currant, touches of iodine and pressed iris aromas gaining intensity with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins and beautifully judged acidity. So harmonious and silky in texture that you almost do not notice the persistence on the finish. Wonderful.

94-96 points Neal Martin vinous.com

From the prized Aux Combottes lieu dit, this Premier Cru captures a fascinating crossroads between Gevrey Chambertin power and Chambolle Musigny finesse. Domaine Hubert Lignier is known for classical, low intervention winemaking that highlights purity, balance and site transparency. Aux Combottes sits on limestone rich soils at the southern edge of Gevrey, giving wines with lifted perfume, fine texture and a more elegant profile than some of the commune’s more muscular sites. Lignier’s careful élevage allows this vineyard’s natural grace and complexity to shine.

The colour is a bright ruby with garnet tones. Aromas are refined and layered, showing red cherry, raspberry and wild strawberry, followed by rose petal, subtle spice and a gentle forest floor note. The palate is medium bodied and beautifully poised, with pure red fruit, silky tannins and a vibrant acid line that gives flow and length. There is a savoury mineral edge and fine structure that add seriousness without weight.

Superb with duck, veal, pork, mushroom dishes and herb driven cuisine. Drinking well now with air, it will cellar confidently for ten to fifteen years, gaining extra savoury and tertiary nuance.