Domaine Lignier Michelot - Nuits Saint Georges 1er Cru - Aux Murgers 2022
The Domaine Lignier Michelot, located in Morey Saint Denis, stands out as one of the most serious signatures of the Côte de Nuits, with a very precise interpretation of the great Pinot Noir terroirs. The family has been working for several generations to refine a style that combines depth, purity of fruit, and great drinkability, from simple Bourgogne wines to the most renowned premiers and grands crus. The vines are managed with strict standards, moderate yields, living soils, and just-ripe maturities to obtain grapes with great natural concentration but always balanced. The vinification relies on gentle extractions, a measured use of whole cluster fermentation, and a refined aging process where the wood supports rather than dominates. In this spirit, Nuits Saint Georges 1er Cru Aux Murgers holds a special place, on a hillside climate known for its character that is both powerful, deep, and very refined. The 2022 vintage, sunny but perfectly controlled, highlights this duality between the strength of the terroir and the precision of the craft.
Domaine Lignier Michelot Nuits Saint Georges 1er Cru Aux Murgers 2022 comes from old vines deeply rooted in stony soils blending marl and limestone, typical of the best slopes of Nuits. Naturally low yields and the pursuit of complete phenolic maturity lead to small, concentrated berries, hand-harvested and sorted with extreme care. In the winery, a portion of whole clusters may be retained depending on the vintage profile to bring energy, spice, and structure without hardening the tannins. Macerations are long but conducted gently, with sparing pump-overs and punch-downs to preserve the fine grain and aromatic complexity. The aging then takes place in oak barrels, with a controlled proportion of new wood intended to refine the texture, lengthen the palate, and enrich the bouquet without masking the character of Aux Murgers. The result is a Nuits 1er Cru of great stature, concentrated but impeccably balanced, built for aging while already offering a beautiful expression of the terroir.
On tasting, Nuits Saint Georges 1er Cru Aux Murgers 2022 presents a deep ruby robe with violet reflections, dense and luminous. The nose opens with intense aromas of black and red fruits, blackberry, blackcurrant, Morello cherry, complemented by notes of violet, peony, fine spices, and a slight undergrowth hint that announces the complexity to come. On the palate, the attack is broad and straight, supported by a full body where juicy fruit blends with a tight but very fine tannic frame. The texture is both velvety and energetic, with a well-present freshness that stretches the wine and emphasizes its verticality. The finish is long, deep, marked by the return of black fruits, spices, and a salivating mineral imprint, a signature of the beautiful limestones of Nuits. At the table, this 1er Cru ideally accompanies a beef or veal fillet with morels, roast pigeon, duck breast, mushroom risotto, or soft-ripened cheeses with bloomy rind.
Grape varieties: 100% Pinot Noir
