Hubert Lignier Griotte Chambertin Grand Cru, 2015, 750ML

Feature

Tasting Note

Robert Parker 90 -92,  Neal Martin, 31 December 2016

The 2015 Griotte Chambertin Grand Cru, which comes from purchased grapes, has quite an elegant bouquet, especially for this grand cru. It offers attractive scents of black cherry, red plum, rose petals and just a touch of cold stone. The palate is medium-bodied with crunchy red berry fruit intermingling with orange zest and quince, although I find just a little abruptness on the finish that showed some of the new oak poking through. It just needs to knit together by the time of bottling.

Drinking Window: 2020 - 2038

Winemaking 

Purchase of grapes from vines over 50 years of age. The wines have a soft, delicate hue, the aromas show notes of violets and roses, the palate is fruity when the wine is young and spicier after a few years’ cellar-ageing

Winery

Initially, part of the Ornellaia estate, the Masseto vineyard was planted in 1984 based on advice from renowned winemaker André Tchelistcheff. While seeking spots for Cabernet, Tchelistcheff recognized the blue clay of Masseto as perfect for Merlot, a rarity in Bolgheri. Despite initial hesitation from Lodovico Antinori, the property's owner, Tchelistcheff's counsel prevailed.

From its debut vintage in 1987, Masseto quickly gained acclaim for its unique Merlot expression, distinct from Ornellaia's Cabernet-based wines. Today, this Super Tuscan stands as a globally renowned Merlot, lauded for its ageing potential, elegance, and freshness, often likened to "the Pétrus of Italy.".