On Sale: $74.94 (was: $89.94)*
The Lignier clan must be counting itself as very lucky these days, as between the two domaines of Georges and Hubert Lignier, they work with a wide array of Burgundy’s greatest vineyards. Thanks to the work of his talented nephew Benoît Stehly, Georges Lignier’s wines have emerged as a remarkable counterpoint to the more sturdy and dense Pinots of his cousin.
This beautifully silky and fresh 1er cru Clos des Ormes has “lively, energetic fruit and tender but pervasive freshness” (Wine Enthusiast), not to mention more than a passing family resemblance to neighboring grand cru of Clos de la Roche. That resemblance doesn’t extend to price however, as this is the lowest price you’ll find on the 2016!
Benoît Stehly took over winemaking from his uncle back in 2007, bringing the old-school domaine into the 21st century. 2016 was clearly full of challenges, but Lignier's stunning set of wines from Morey St Denis and Gevrey Chambertin saved the day, with ripe tannins, refreshing lift, and classic typicity.
Lignier owns half of this superlative 1er cru, 2ha of vines over 45 years old, and it is one of the better examples of a 1er cru nipping at the heels of nearby grand crus with increasing frequency. Given that Georges Lignier’s Clos de la Roche trades for over $150+ (and his cousin charges twice that), the Clos de Ormes is a really stunning bottle of Morey for under 75 dollars.
93 points, Wine Enthusiast: "Hints of flinty reduction and lifted earthiness send conflicting messages of freshness and evolution on the nose of this wine that is rich with lifted red cherry. The palate then plumps for brightness and almost grassy verve, with lively, energetic fruit and tender but pervasive freshness. Notions of forest floor perfume everything with a slight, resonant pepperiness. Fine tannins appear on the resonant finish."
*Offer publication date January 27, 2022. Pricing and availability subject to change.