Domaine Virgile Lignier-Michelot : Morey-Saint-Denis 1er cru "Faconnières" 2022

Characteristics and tasting tips for the Morey-Saint-Denis 1er Cru "Faconnières" 2022 from Domaine Virgile Lignier-Michelot

Tasting

Appearance
The wine displays an intense, deep ruby hue while retaining lovely clarity and a characteristic brilliance.

Nose
Beautifully complex, the aromatic bouquet opens with notes of black and red fruits such as blackberry, plum, redcurrant and raspberry. It then gains depth with delicate floral touches reminiscent of violet and rose, intimately intertwined with spicy and mineral nuances and hints of raw cocoa.

Palate
The palate offers a rich, vibrant texture, supported by velvety, finely powdered tannins. Its balance comes through a fine acidity that carries the wine towards a long, mineral and expansive finish, punctuated by a noble bitterness.

Food and wine pairings

This red wine will pair harmoniously with delicate meats such as a roast rack of veal, pork tenderloin or a leg of lamb. It will also complement fine poultry, duck breast with citrus, or dishes featuring wild mushrooms and roasted root vegetables.

Serving and cellaring

To fully appreciate this Morey-Saint-Denis 1er Cru "Faconnières" 2022, it is best served at a temperature between 15 and 17°C, after one to two hours of decanting in its youth. Built for ageing, this wine can be cellared and will continue to develop gracefully until around 2038.

The authentic expression of a great Burgundy terroir

The estate

The Lignier family's winemaking history began in the early 20th century, but the estate itself, marked by the start of bottling at the property, dates back to 1992. Now run by Laure and Virgile Lignier, Domaine Virgile Lignier-Michelot farms 12 hectares in the Côte de Nuits. With its uncertified organic viticulture and minimal-intervention philosophy, it has established itself among the benchmark producers of Burgundy, crafting precise cuvées that are true to their terroirs.

The vineyard

The "Les Faconnières" climat enjoys a privileged location just below the Clos de la Roche Grand Cru. This Morey-Saint-Denis terroir lies on well-drained limestone soils mixed with marl and stones. The vines behind this cuvée are particularly old: planted in the mid-20th century, they are now around 72 years old. The estate harvests exclusively by hand to preserve the integrity of the berries.

The vintage

2022 stands out as a warm, sun-drenched vintage. Despite episodes of summer heat, rigorous management of yields and harvest dates made it possible to achieve full phenolic ripeness while retaining great freshness.

Vinification and ageing

Vinification favours a gentle approach, using indigenous yeasts and a significant proportion of whole-cluster fruit. Extractions are measured to preserve the finesse of the wine's texture. Ageing takes place over approximately 18 months in oak barrels (around 30% of them new), followed by a few months of maturation in stainless steel tanks. The wine is bottled unfined and with a very light filtration.

Grape variety

Pinot Noir (100%).