Lignier Michelot Burgundy - Vintage 2018
Lignier’s take on the 2018 vintage was that “it has turned out to be a pleasant surprise because given how hot the growing season was I frankly expected heavy and over ripe wines but that’s not at all the case as the wines really changed during the course of the élevage. We had a huge fruit set and it was absolutely necessary to control yields and I debudded aggressively, in fact my yields in 2018 are about the same as they were in 2016. I began picking on the 8th of September and the fruit was clean and ripe, partially because the season was so warm but also because my yields were relatively low. Potential alcohols ranged from 12.8 to 14.8% though the highest were the regional vineyards as I picked them last. I used a very high percentage of whole clusters while vinifying softly, though over a longer period, as it was clear from the outset that it would be easy to extract plenty of tannin. As to the wines, they’re generous and seductive but they do not lack for either density or aging ability. They’re mostly very good but a few of them, in my view, are genuinely excellent. Perhaps their most surprising aspect is how clearly the terroir is expressed as that’s not always the case with very warm vintages.” Fans of the domaine will be very pleased to learn that as of 2019 the area farmed in Clos de la Roche will increase from .29 ha to .74 ha. Lignier also noted that the 2017s reviewed below were bottled in February 2019. Note: Lignier has a small négociant activity and the wines are sold under the name Maison Virgile Lignier. - Allen Meadows, Burghound.
Lignier-Michelot Bourgogne Rouge 2018
From four parcels of old vines totalling nearly 0.4 hectares located in Chambolle Musigny close to the Morey St Denis border. Less than 200 cases produced from these old vines planted mid 1960’s in deeper clay soils more typical of Chambolle lower slopes. About 50% whole bunch fermented with just 20% new oak this is deep and remarkably complex for this level. Outstanding.
‘(from 50+ year old vines in Bons Bâtons; 65% whole cluster). A fresh and very ripe nose speaks primarily of poached plum and black cherry liqueur. There is excellent verve and nice detail to the lavishly rich and delicious flavors that terminate in a firm if slightly warm finale. Drink 2022+’ (86-88) points. Allen Meadows, Burghound.com.
Lignier-Michelot Chambolle Musigny 2018
From 2 parcels (Les Drazey and Les Gamaires) below Bonnes Mares planted in the 1950’s and 1960’s totalling 1.48 hectares. A deep, rich and generous Chambolle of great finesse and class.
‘(from 50+ year old vines; 80% whole cluster). This is also very ripe though it stops short of jamminess with a liqueur-like quality to the black cherry, violet and spice scents. There is both excellent intensity and delineation to the medium weight flavors that flash a touch of youthful austerity on the lingering finish. Drink 2025+.’ (88-91) points. Allen Meadows, Burghound.com.
‘The 2018 Chambolle-Musigny Vieilles Vignes contains 70–80% whole-bunch fruit. It has an airy nose with black cherry fruit mixed with cola and pressed violets. The palate is lively and sweet on the entry, offering dense black fruit laced with blood orange and tangerine. Firm and quite structured on the finish. Give it two or three years in bottle. Drink 2022-2032.’ (87-89) points. Neal Martin, Vinous.
Lignier-Michelot Gevrey-Chambertin 2018
Comes mostly from a parcel of vines planted in 1969 in Les Seuvrees which borders on to Grand cru Charmes Chambertin close to the Morey St Denis border. About 200 dozen produced.
‘(from Les Seuvrées and Les Murots; 90% whole cluster). There is a touch of thesauvage present on the nose of wild dark berries, forest floor and again, plenty of floral elements. The highly energetic and well-detailed flavors exude a subtle salinity on the refreshing and sneaky long and markedly firm finish that is shaped by relatively fine-grained tannins. This needs to develop a bit more depth but it is already a quality effort. Drink 2028+.’ (88-91) points. Allen Meadows, Burghound.com.
‘Containing 100% whole bunch, the 2018 Gevrey-Chambertin "Cuvée Bertin" offers ripe strawberries and red cherry on the nose, which is very airy in style, if lacking a little complexity. The medium-bodied palate delivers crunchy red berry fruit laced with tea leaves and bay leaf, fine delineation and a fresh, lightly spiced finish. Hopefully the aromatics will up their game. Drink 2023-2033.’ (89-91) points. Neal Martin, Vinous.
Lignier-Michelot MSD Rue de Vergy 2018
Plenty of great Burgundy due to arrive during the second half of 2020. The new releases from Lignier-Michelot are now here and within hours of showing up, we pulled the cork on this wine. Due to the warmth of the vintage, and as was suggested by Burghound, there is plenty of generosity in these wines. This shows a strong concentration of dark primary fruit, spiced cherry and hints of cassis. Flavours are cool, clean and precise. But then the second half of the palate is awash with fresh acid and great integration of fine tannins. On revisiting the bottle 24 hours later, the primary fruit seemed to have been tamed and more savoury, black soil complexity was coming through. This being the case, I would suggest a long decant if drinking this wine young. Or patiently cellar it and watch it develop over the next decade. 70% whole bunch fermentation was used here which has been soaked up quite easily by the quality of fruit that is on display. – Ches Cook, FWC.
This tiny vineyard of just over 3 hectares borders directly on to 3 Grand cru vineyards (Bonnes Mares, Clos de Tart and Clos des Lambrays) and Virgile owns 1.9 ha of vines planted 1975 bordering on to those Grand cru’s. Situated quite high on the slope just above Clos de Tart where the limestone is quite close to the surface similar to the highest vineyards in Chambolle Musigny which it borders on the southern side. A stunning village site and from his fabulous holding this wine looks closer to Premier cru standard than village in intensity and detail. in 2018 this cuvee has 70% whole bunches in the ferment which lasted for 3 weeks with the final week at 30-31c lightly covered with a little CO2. Super fine tannins in 2018.
‘(70% whole cluster). A notably cooler nose reflects notes of cassis, blueberry and plenty of floral elements. The quite finely detailed and lightly stony middle weight flavors possess a suave mid-palate mouthfeel while culminate in a lingering bitter cherry pit-inflected finish. Good stuff, especially for a villages level Morey St. Denis. Drink 2025+’ (89-91) points. Allen Meadows, Burghound.com.
Lignier-Michelot MSD Les Faconnieres 1er Cru 2018
A beautifully sited vineyard planted 1948 located just below the ‘heart’ of Clos de la Roche “(80% whole bunch ferment in 2018). Often very close to Grand cru in quality and depth. Stunning.
‘(from 60+ year old vines; 80% whole cluster). There is an interesting hint of smoked venison to the notably spicy and floral suffused aromas of poached plum and black cherry. There is outstanding intensity to the tautly muscular and stony middle weight plus flavors that possess succulent mid-palate while exhibiting excellent length on the youthfully austere finale. This age-worthy effort is a bit more refined than usual. Drink 2033+.’ (91-93) points. Allen Meadows, Burghound.com.
‘The 2018 Morey-Saint-Denis Faconnières 1er Cru shows a little reduction on the nose; underneath there is red currant and cranberry fruit, and a touch of iodine emerges with time. The palate is medium-bodied with saturated tannins, blood-orange infused blue and blackberry fruit and a precise finish that just needs a little more length. Otherwise, this is very commendable. Drink 2023-2040.’ (91-93) points. Neal Martin, Vinous.
Lignier-Michelot Clos de la Roche Grand Cru 2018
‘(from a .27 ha parcel, most of which is young vines of 15+ years of age though there is a parcel approximating 15% of the total with ~40 years of age; 80% whole cluster). An exceptionally ripe nose flashes port-like nuances on the mix of red and dark berry fruit aromas where additional breadth is present in the form of menthol, violet and soft spice wisps. There is better freshness on the palate of the well-detailed and minerally big-bodied flavors that exhibit outstanding power on the robust,muscular and lingering finish. This firmly structured effort is impressive if not typical. Drink 2038+.’ (91-94) points. Allen Meadows, Burghound.com.
‘The 2018 Clos-de-la-Roche Grand Cru, matured with 80% whole bunch, has an intense blackberry nose with strong undergrowth and seaweed aromas. The medium-bodied palate features crunchy black fruit. Here I feel the stem addition slightly dominates the finish, so hopefully that will be subsumed with time. Maybe this is one cuvée from the domaine where I might have dialed down the whole bunch. Drink 2024-2044.’ (91-93) points. Neal Martin, Vinous.
