Lambrays Clos des Lambrays Grand Cru 2018

98 points La Revue du Vin de France: "Beautiful, complex, deep nose, still immature for a grand cru, nuanced, with a broad structure and svelte tannins, perfectly framing the restrained richness of ripe fruit that has remained fresh. The inclusion of stems brings freshness and sapidity, a touch of smoky tea, and happily elongates the wine's savory frame. This great wine will follow in the footsteps of the glorious ripe vintages that have marked the estate's history. (2021)"

98 points CellarTracker.com community score.

97 points Neal Martin (Vinous): "The 2018 Clos des Lambrays Grand Cru does not quite have the amplitude of Magnien's Clos Saint-Denis, but it displays more vivacious red fruit, clarifying with aeration and eventually develops quite an ethereal quality. The palate is beautifully balanced with sappy red fruit laced with white pepper, sage and graphite notes. Superb structure on the finish - quintessentially Morey-Saint-Denis with wonderful sappiness. Bon vin! Tasted blind at the Burgfest 2018 red tasting. Drink: 2028-2055. (Nov 2022)"

97 points Jasper Morris, MW (Inside Burgundy): "A clear crimson to magenta colour. More lifted fruit here. Very classy I think and there is a great deal of it! There are some stems in here as shown by the white pepper. Rather glorious on the palate, absolutely clean, a regal intensity. Drink from 2030. (Sep 2022)"

94-96 points Fine Wine Review: "Fans of Clos des Lambrays, of which I am one, will not be disappointed by this wine. The nose is complex with with dark and red fruits and spices. The mouth is medium-weight and has a smooth texture, salinity, soy, freshness, density, and overall balance. 50% new oak here. (12/13/19)"

94 points Tim Atkin, MW (Decanter): "Clos des Lambrays is in something of a transitional phase right now, with the departure of one winemaker and the arrival of another, so it will be interesting to see how the style evolves. This is a classically firm, ageworthy expression of the terroir, marked by its 80% whole bunches, which give it a stemmy, peaty, almost Islay malt whisky-like note, a tannic backbone and layers of dark black cherry and damson fruit. Drinking Window: 2026-2036. (Oct 2019)"

93 points Allen Meadows (Burghound): "(produced from two large parcels of differing vine ages - one that is approximately two-thirds of the blend and is now 50+ years of age and a second, smaller group of vines that is approximately 25+ years of age; made with 80% whole clusters and 50% new wood). A slightly riper mix reflects notes of black cherry, cassis plum and plenty of spice and floral nuances, especially violet. On the palate there is good freshness and vivacity as the succulent and rounded middle weight plus flavors also possess a beguiling texture before culminating in a powerful, sappy, firm and somewhat raspy finish. Compared to the 2019 version, the tannins are not as fine nor is the balance quite as well dialed in but even so, there is still plenty of admire. I would point out that this wine was vinified by the prior régisseur Boris Champy while it was bottled by Jacques Devauges. Drink: 2030+. (Jan 2021)"