CLOS SAINT DENIS

2019 Grand Cru Domaine Lignier-Michelot

EN PRIMEUR

Virgile farms a plot of vines which was replanted in 2003. A little less dense in colour, but with the classic ripe hedonistic style. This is less remarkable on the palate than the Clos de la Roche but I love the long, fine finish. Actually, the fruit builds very well, with good length, this is growing on me. Tasted: November 2020 4/5 stars Rating: 94-97 L&S (Jan 2021)

* This is a pre-shipment/primeur offer. All orders are accepted under the TERMS of this offer which differ from the terms of the rest of the site.

Both fresh rose and pot-pourri, 'un nez typique du climat' says Virgile 'rose, faded rose, eglantine', and there it all is, with a touch on the mouth that is soft silk, slipping, floral and taut at the same time - the flower with a shadow if a thorn too. Fabulous. As Virgile goes on to say 'medium body, all in nuance and complexity, what a Grand Cru in the Côte de Nuits should be all about. Drinking range: 2030 - 2045L&S (Oct 2020)

(from purchased fruit and released under the Maison Virgile Lignier label, 100% whole cluster). An ultra-spicy and markedly floral nose combines notes of red cherry, wild currant and earth with those of exotic tea and leather nuances. The polished but concentrated and intense middle weight flavors display a lovely sense of verve that carries over to the mineral-driven and well-balanced finale. This almost creamy and mildly warm effort is perhaps not quite as fresh as the Clos de la Roche, but I suspect that the nose will recover once it receives a thorough aeration and my projected range accords the benefit of the doubt that it will. Drinking range: 2037 - Rating: 93-95 Allen Meadows, www.Burghound.com (Jan 2021)

The 2019 Clos Saint-Denis Grand Cru is made with 100% whole bunches and matured in used oak this year and that is evident on the nose with open, transparent scents of blackberry, briary and crushed rock aromas. Less opulent than the Clos de la Roche, this is slightly more austere but no less captivating. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy black fruit, great depth and cohesion, structured towards the finish with touches of melted tar and tobacco. Superb. Drinking range: 2025 - 2050 Rating: 95-97 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (Dec 2020)

A domaine of 11 hectares, 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.

The wines 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.

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STORAGE OPTIONS:

Wines bought en primeur are scheduled to arrive in the UK over the course of the next eighteen months. If you do not wish to take home delivery, you may wish to consider where you would like the wines shipped on arrival in the UK. Lea & Sandeman offers duty paid and in bond storage through a dedicated storage company called Elephant Storage. For more details on the terms and fees associated with storage please go to our Storage Homepage or contact our primeurs team for more information.

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BURGUNDY EN PRIMEUR FAQ

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