2010 Domaine Lignier-Michelot Clos de la Roche Grand Cru
Reviewed by Antonio Galloni
Issue Date 23rd Dec 2011
Source 199, The Wine Advocate
Rating 93 - 95 points
Release Price $275
Drink Date 2025 - 2045
The 2010 Clos de la Roche bursts from the glass with super-ripe red cherries, raspberries, rose petals and spices. The Clos de la Roche boasts striking inner perfume, impeccable balance and the silkiest of tannins, all in an elegant, racy package that is absolutely irresistible. Layers of deeply perfumed fruit build effortlessly to the energetic, expansive finish. This is another dazzling showing from Virgile Lignier. The 2010 is a blend of estate and purchased fruit, approximately two-thirds and one-third respectively, and was made with 40% whole clusters. Anticipated maturity: 2025-2045.
2012 Domaine Lignier-Michelot • Clos de la Roche Grand Cru
Reviewed by Neal Martin
Issue Date 30th Dec 2013
Source 210, The Wine Advocate
Rating 93 - 95p
Release Price NA
Drink Date 2018
The 2012 Clos de la Roche Grand Cru is 50% whole cluster and 50% new oak and it comes from the domaine’s own vines supplemented by purchased fruit. It has a very elegant bouquet that is quite Vosne-like in style: red berries, minerals and dried petals. The palate is medium-bodied with a dense, solid opening. There is impressive matiere here: a firm grip and equipped with a composed yet weighty finish that will require 5-6 years to fully mature. Good potential.
My second visit to see Virgile Lignier, cousin of Laurent Lignier at Domaine Hubert Lignier, did not go to plan. With the winery seemingly empty, I wondered whether he had forgotten our rendezvous. I soon discovered that the original domaine is tucked away within the village of Morey Saint Denis, and that like many, expansion has meant that they had to move elsewhere to make their wines. Virgile finally appeared driving a forklift truck loading wines destined for my homeland (incidentally I wonder how many Bordeaux proprietors have such a license?) Still, we eventually sat down to taste his 2012s that had been racked mid-September and were now in tank. I have to admit, having heard so many bon mots about Lignier-Michelot, the 2011s had not swept me off my feet back last July, though I could see the potential. However, the 2012s are a different matter and showed more complexity and nuance. The harvest here commenced a little later than others on 27 September, though not as tardy as Laurent Ponsot up the road.