2014 Domaine du Comte Liger Belair, Vosne-Romanee, Clos du Chateau

A strikingly fresh, cool and notably floral nose offers up notes of black cherry and Asian-style tea. There is more volume and richness to the appealingly textured medium-bodied flavors that are both round and generously proportioned before terminating in a firmer and longer finale. This balanced and succulent effort should be approachable, and enjoyable, young.

(bottled in October of 2015): Medium red color. A bit more diffuse on the nose than the Colomière, offering scents of strawberry and smoky underbrush. Shows similarly slightly decadent flavors in the mouth, conveying an impression of evolution and lacking the lift of the vintage's better examples. This would appear best for early drinking, although Louis-Michel Liger-Belair noted that he thought the same thing about the 2004 version in 2006 and that wine is still alive today.

Monopole. Just north of and adjacent to La Colombière. In bottle since September; he's bottled the Clos du Château early since 2010. Savoury nose that is pure Vosne. Masses of fruit. Juice and charm but transparency too. This climat always naturally tastes as though it has whole bunch. Great raciness. Some limestone brings freshness. Very flirtatious indeed. (JR)