There is gorgeous complexity to the tea and floral-scented aromas of spice, earth and sauvage infused dark berry fruit. The punchy and intense big-bodied flavors possess a subtle touch of minerality as well as fine concentration, all wrapped in a linear and wonderfully long finish. This is a seriously powerful yet refined wine that should amply repay long-term cellaring and in fact it will demand it as it won't be a good candidate for early consumption. In a word, terrific. Drink 2027+.
– Burghound.com, Issue 57, Tasted: Jan 2015

Today, the 2012 Clos de la Roche comes across as tight and very much closed in on itself. Cherry pit, plum, flowers, spices and iron emerge over time, but only with great reluctance. The tannins are firm, but there is plenty of depth and pure resonance just waiting to emerge over time. A dense, authoritative finish rounds things out in style The Clos de la Roche was done with 60% whole clusters and it is going to need time to fully come together.

The 2012 Clos de la Roche Grand Cru is 50% whole cluster and 50% new oak and it comes from the domaine’s own vines supplemented by purchased fruit. It has a very elegant bouquet that is quite Vosne-like in style: red berries, minerals and dried petals. The palate is medium-bodied with a dense, solid opening. There is impressive matiere here: a firm grip and equipped with a composed yet weighty finish that will require 5-6 years to fully mature. Good potential. Drink 2018.
– eRobertParker.com, Dec 2013

(50% vendange entier; the yield here was 35 hectoliters per hectare, which Lignier described as "a good crop" in 2012): Bright, dark red. Explosive aromas of blackberry, violet, brown spices and licorice. Fat, sweet and savory in the mouth, with a lightly saline quality to the flavors of redcurrant and flowers. Finishes round and very long, with seamless tannins spreading out horizontally to coat the palate.

Intense dark-red fruits on the nose but seems a bit lean on the palate. Hard to tell how this will develop in bottle. If it takes on flesh, it will be very good, the tannins are so refined. Hence the double plus. (JH)