Domaine Lignier Michelot - Morey-Saint-Denis Vieilles Vignes 2018

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Morey-Saint-Denis wine is produced in the commune of Morey-Saint-Denis in the Côte de Nuits subregion of Burgundy. The Appellation d'origine contrôlée (AOC) Morey-Saint-Denis may be used for red and white wine with respectively Pinot noir and Chardonnay as the main grape variety. The production of red wine dominates greatly, with around 96 per cent, and only around four per cent white wine. There are five Grand Cru vineyards with the commune: Clos de Tart, Clos des Lambrays, Clos Saint-Denis, Clos de la Roche and Bonnes Mares, which is shared with Chambolle-Musigny.

In 2008, 96.4 hectares (238 acres) of vineyard surface was in production for Morey-Saint-Denis at village and Premier Cru level, and 3,822 hectoliter of wine was produced, of which 3,679 hectoliter red wine and 143 hectoliter white wine. Some 4.55 hectares (11.2 acres) of this area was used for the white wines in 2007. The total amount produced corresponds to just over 500,000 bottles, of which just under 500,000 bottles of red wine and just under 20,000 bottles of white wine.

The AOC regulations allow up to 15 per cent total of Chardonnay, Pinot blanc and Pinot gris as accessory grapes in the red wines, but this not very often practiced. For white wines, both Chardonnay and Pinot blanc are allowed, but most wines are likely to be 100% Chardonnay. The allowed base yield is 40 hectoliter per hectare of red wine and 45 for white wine. The grapes must reach a maturity of at least 10.5 per cent potential alcohol for village-level red wine, 11.0 per cent for village-level white wine and Premier Cru red wine, and 11.5 per cent for Premier Cru white wine.

This old vines blend is from 3 different lieux-dits in Morey-Saint-Denis. 50% of the fruit is from Les Cognées, 25% from Très Girard, 25% from Les Chenevery. Three vineyards with deep clay, sand, and gravel soils and clay-limestone bedrock from the Middle Jurassic. Organic (not certified) 70% whole-cluster, short cold maceration, indigenous yeast fermentation. Aged for 12 months in oak barrel (30% new).

Domaine Lignier Michelot Description

Virgile Lignier escorted me through his 2018s from his barrel cellar located not far from Domaine Arlaud. “We started picking on 5 September with all the Premier and Grand Cru and finished in the generic around six days later," he told me. "It was important to harvest quickly. The vinification was normal. There were just two punch downs at the end, just pump overs during maceration during the two and a half week vinification. I just wanted to keep the freshness and avoid hard tannins. The alcohol levels 13.5% to 14.0%." This is a source of respectfully crafted Morey-Saint-Denis, especially from Aux Chezeaux and Chenevery. Lignier's Grand Crus are also extremely promising and may well end up being better value than those from higher profile domaines." Neal Martin, Vinous Media