Lea & Sandeman Wine Merchants

CLOS DE LA ROCHE

2011 Grand Cru Domaine Lignier-Michelot

Grapes Pinot Noir
Colour Red
Origin France, Burgundy
District Côte d'Or
Sub-district Côte de Nuits
Village Morey Saint Denis
Classification Grand Cru
ABV 13.5%
Vineyard Clos de la Roche

Just as inviting as the Clos Saint Denis, but this is a catwalk model, beautiful skin over evident, racy structure. Dense, silky - like the Faconnieres, heavy silk again, great bolts of it. Spice and pepper too. Very long and exciting. L&S (Jan 2013)


Alternatively, we may well have some bottles in one of our shops - why not give us a call on 0207 244 0522 or send an email to: sales@leaandsandeman.co.uk.

Or, check the RELATED PRODUCTS below for different vintages or wines of a similar style.


Melted road tar, incense, licorice and black stone fruits are some of the notes that emerge from the 2011 Clos de La Roche. Even with all of its obvious size and heft, the Clos de La Roche remains exceptionally elegant. Layers of dark, balsamic-infused fruit build to the intense, enveloping finish. The 2011 was vinified with 50% whole clusters and aged in 50% new oak. Drinking range: 2021 - 2036 Rating: 94-96 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (Mar 2014)

Good bright, full red. Brooding aromas of black cherry, spiced meats and licorice. Dense, sweet and concentrated on entry, showing a blacker fruit character than the Faconnieres, then full, rich and horizontal in the middle palate, displaying a fine-grained texture and no heaviness. The dusty tannins reach the front teeth. Riper and longer than the Faconnieres but I don't find quite the same grip or energy. This one may drink earlier. Rating: 92 Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar (Mar 2014)

Scented and sinewy. Not a knockout drop by any means. But solid and firm and excellent structure. Opens out on the end. Promising. 2016-2026 Rating: 17+ Jancis Robinson OBE MW - www.JancisRobinson.com (Jan 2013)

Domaine Lignier-Michelot

A domaine now of 13.5 hectares, some owned, some in fermage with a little bought in. An average of 290 barrels a year. 25% regionals, 50% Villages, 20% Premiers crus and 5% Grands Crus. Virgile Lignier worked at the domaine with his father Maurice from 1988, beginning to bottle some of the wine from 1992 (it had previously been sold to the négoce), taking over in 2000, which was the vintage when he first bottled all the domaine's production.

In the vineyard Virgile made significant changes, stopping the use of herbicides, and beginning to plough instead. Green harvesting to limits yields followed, along with greater attention to grape selection. The domaine works organically except in extremis, so it's lutte raisonnée.

The wines are made with the least intervention possible, with lots of whole bunches. little extraction (one or two pigeages but mostly he's into remontages, then aged in barrel with 15-20% new wood. They have a lovely combination of enough body and richness, combined with a lively clarity of expression. The old vines village cuvées are seriously good, and great value too. Going up the scale each site seems to speak very clearly of its source and there is a brightness and energy along with full, seamless fruit.

This wine isn't currently part of a mixed case, but you can always browse our full selection of mixed cases here.
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