Dominique Laurent 2008 Clos de la Roche 750ml

"Just as in 2007, Laurent did not utilize the fruit from what he describes as “the Clos within the Clos” for his 2008 Clos De La Roche Vieilles Vignes, claiming that it had not attained sufficient ripeness. The resulting wine – incorporating at least one new source – could therefore not, he says, approach the stature associated with other recent vintages. Bacon fat, cocoa powder, ripe cassis, smoky black tea, and alkaline as well as stony mineral intimations scent and fill the expansive but firm palate of this properly stony representation of its great cru. Satisfying meatiness adds a welcome dimension, and this finishes with impressive persistence. Still, there is some stiffness to the tannins and nowhere near the mineral complexity or authority exhibited by the corresponding 2005 and 2006. (Laurent elected not to bottle a 2008 Clos St.-Denis, from material he said was also insufficiently ripe.) 91-92 points"
 - David Schildknecht, Wine Advocate #189

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