THIBAULT LIGER-BELAIR
BURGUNDY, FRANCE 2019
Power. Depth. Finesse.
If that's what you're looking for in a wine, you'll find all three in glorious abundance in the stellar quartet we've got for you today.
The producer? Thibault Liger-Belair, one of the undersung but important estates in Burgundy — a "new classic Burgundy domaine," in the words of the website Wine Anorak.
Located in Nuits-Saint-Georges, in the Côte de Nuits subregion of Burgundy, France, the estate dates its inception to 1720, and all the vines have been in the Liger-Belair family since the 18th century. The domaine has been overseen by Thibault since 2001, and what we and other close watchers have witnessed in the ensuing two decades is nothing short of extraordinary. The vineyards he inherited were in poor condition, with compacted soil. They needed love. He converted to organic farming in 2004, and applied those same principles to vine management. Harvesting is only done by hand, and all grapes are slow pressed. The result, as he told Wine Anorak three years ago, has been to arrive at greater terroir purity and focus. "I begin to find a bit less gourmandise in my wine. The wine becomes very straight, like a crystallization of the wine. I like roundness, softness and finesse in the wine."
That winemaking vision has been realized, with gorgeous results.
2019 is just the second vintage of Nuits-St.-Georges, Les Belles Croix, and in our estimation one of the best bottlings we've seen yet from this rising star estate. Jasper Morris and Jancis Robinson both wrote raves. We're just as high on it after our recent tasting. Beautiful extraction. Soft, sophisticated tannins. Long, sustained finish.
In 2009, the domaine expanded into Beaujolais, and now a Beaujolais-Villages and several Moulin-à-Vent Cru wines are also produced — including their superb flagship, the Moulin-à-Vent Vieilles Vignes, 100% Gamay. A powerful, concentrated cuvée, it was blended from 9 parcels, all from old vines.
The Pinot Noir grapes for the Côte de Nuits Au Leurey were sourced from an estate that shares terroir with premiers crus Clos de la Maréchal and Clos de l'Arlot. The result, as we discovered in our tastings, is an unexpectedly powerful wine for the appellation. The presence of limestone in the soil was unmistakable on the palate, bringing a freshness and finesse to a wine of surprising concentration and size.
Finally, we have their white Burgundy. It’s a blend of wines from Mâconnais, where the soils are full of limestone, and Montagny, where clay and white marl abound. The result? A complex Burgundy of welcome density, roundness, and depth, to go along with the expected elegance and minerality.
If you have yet to make the acquaintance of this on-the-rise estate, this is a wonderful opportunity to sample the craft and commitment that make every sip a moment of pure pleasure.
Order yours now!
*Offer NOT valid in-store. This offer is made pre-arrival, with products estimated to be delivered to your preferred store in Spring/Summer 2022. With the supply chain issues that we are seeing globally, there may be some unforeseen delays which could affect the ETA. All sale prices are the lowest available at Total Wine & More and ONLY valid through Concierge Sales. No further discounts or coupons may be applied. Offer not valid MI, NV, NY, or TN. This offer is for ONE WEEK, or until sold out, and will expire on Wednesday, March 30, 2022.
