Domaine Lignier-Michelot - Clos de la Roche Grand Cru 2017 (Magnum)

The Domaine Lignier-Michelot, located in Morey-Saint-Denis in the Côte de Nuits, at the heart of the prestigious terroirs of Burgundy, embodies the winemaking excellence of the region. Nestled on the Route des Grands Crus, between Chambolle-Musigny and Gevrey-Chambertin, the village of Morey-Saint-Denis enjoys an ideal position. With an area of approximately 150 hectares, the appellation is home to five Grands Crus, including the renowned Clos Saint-Denis and Clos de la Roche.

This winery is a family story that began three generations ago in the small village of Morey-Saint-Denis. Under the current leadership of Laure and Virgile Lignier (the great-grandson of the original founder, who took over the business in 2000), the vineyard spans 12 hectares, divided into around sixty plots in some of the finest climates of the Côte de Nuits. The villages of Morey-Saint-Denis, Gevrey-Chambertin, Fixin, Chambolle-Musigny, and Nuits-Saint-Georges are thus represented here.

Laure and Virgile attach great importance to working the soil, ensuring the preservation of biodiversity and the typicity of their great Burgundian terroirs. They pay very close attention to their 10 hectares of vines, adopting rigorous cultivation practices (the estate transitioned to organic farming in 2010). Virgile Lignier, mindful of the purity and quality of his wines, minimizes interventions in the cellar to preserve their integrity. He also strives every day to further develop the range of wines available at the estate.

At Domaine Lignier-Michelot, every step is carried out with the utmost care, from the work in the vineyards to the winemaking process. This approach truly emphasizes the richness and unique expression of each terroir. The wines produced by the estate stand out for their suppleness, delicate tannins, aromatic purity, and strong aging potential.

Sustainable, organic treatments, guyot and cordon pruning, high trellising, farmed according to the lunar calendar. 50-100% whole cluster, ambient yeast fermentation, aged for 12 months in barrels (0-15% new), no fining, some filtration.

“The 2017 Clos-de-la-Roche Grand Cru has an expressive bouquet that is a dead ringer for a Dujac, conveying plenty of energy and earthy black fruit laced with undergrowth and sea cave scents. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins and quite a firm backbone. Fresh from the start to the refreshing, elegant, saline finish that gets the saliva flowing. Excellent.” - 95 Points, Vinous

“(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). All but invisible wood sets off the spicier and overtly floral-suffused nose that possesses excellent complexity. There is excellent drive and delineation to the big-bodied and tautly muscular flavors that deliver fine persistence on the moderately austere finish. This powerful effort will need a few years to develop more depth but the underlying material appears to be present for that to occur with time. Drink 2032+.” - 93 Points, Burghound