Vins de Plaisir! A first look at Thibault Liger-Belair's 2021s
Vinum’s allocation of Thibault Liger-Belair’s 2021 wines recently landed on our shores, here in Singapore; just this morning Thibault himself departed Singapore, after nearly a full week of tastings, lunches and dinners here. A number of 2021s were poured during the week’s punishing schedule – Vinum made poor Thibault work hard during his Asia tour! – and I think everyone was quite shocked at just how well the vintage is tasting.
2021 was a bit unloved when they were first offered. Following 2018/19/20 is was a much less ripe year, with more savoury and herbal flavours in place of plush, dramatic fruit. The wines are a little lighter and growers had to fight against frost and mildew, so quantities were small.
Where wines are lighter, however, they are often more expressive of vineyard character and bursting with charm, fragrance and freshness. This is just the case with 2021. It is a classic ugly duckling, that has blossomed into something that stops the unsuspecting drinker in their steps.
…rich, succulent and utterly delicious
– Allen Meadows / Burghound, on Thibault’s 2021 Cotes de Nuits Villages Aux Leurey
This should be difficult to resist once in bottle
– Neal Martin / Vinous, on the 2021 Aligote Clos de Perriere la Combe
These quotes from the critics give you a snippet of what to expect from these wines. To launch our offer of the 2021s, we’ve chosen to showcase three under-the-radar stars from Thibault’s portfolio.
The Aligote Clos de Perriere la Combe is well known to Vinum customers. A singular, rich and textured expression of the grape variety, made with some skin contact maceration to really build the structure and texture. Grands Chaillots is a decidely superior Bourgogne Rouge. It blends Pinot from vineyards just below those of Nuits Saint Georges and Chambolle Musigny with fruit from higher in the Hautes Cotes, in Arcenant, which brings freshness and perfume. Aux Leurey is a very special vineyard in Premeaux that is just in front of Mugnier’s famous Clos de Marechale. Boasting old vines, planted back in 1937, this has an intensity and core that punch far above the wine’s price point.
This trio of over-achievers showcase what you can expect from our friend Thibault Liger-Belair in the complex 2021 vintage – there is masses of pleasure in these wines and I hope you’re tempted to give them a try!
Bon weekend!
Matthew Hemming MW
Thibault Liger-Bélair at 67 Pall Mall this week for the Sommeliers lunch.
The Offer:
Subject to remaining unsold. Immediately available from our SG cellars.
2021 Aligote Clos de Perriere la Combe
SGD $270 ($294.30 inc GST) per 6 bottles – 15 cases available
Made from old vine Aligote planted 1978. In the winery it gets one week skin contact to build phenolics, texture and grip. Fresh despite modest acidity – clearly picked very ripe yet Thibault’s achieved a beautiful balance and the wine has a sense of electricity. Saline and mineral with tangy oyster shell notes. Phenolic grip brings freshness and vigour to the finish.
90/100 – Matthew Hemming MW
The 2021 Bourgogne Aligoté Clos de Perrière la Combe underwent one week of skin maceration before fermentation. Custard cream and popcorn emerge on the nose: quite expressive and well defined. The palate is well balanced with fine acidity that cuts through the almond and walnut notes that define the finish. Commendable length. This should be difficult to resist once in bottle.
89-91pts – Neal Martin
2021 Bourgogne Cote d’Or Grands Chaillots
SGD $300 ($327 inc GST) per 6 bottles – 25 cases available
In 2021 this got a very light vinification so as not to extract any angular or green tannins from the fruit. No punch downs and 100% de-stemmed, to put the emphasis squarely on fruit expression. Sweet red berries with a touch of the confit – but a healthy confit, not jammy at all. Very classic and very fragrant nose. Aerial and lifted. An ideal bistro / wine bar style – a bottle would disappear with indecent haste! Has a saline crunch on the back end bringing refreshment. Juicy finish.
88-91pts – Matthew Hemming MW
The 2021 Bourgogne Grand Chaillots is a mix of climats including declassified Hautes-Côte since 2020, with no pigeage conducted during maceration. The bouquet is quite forward and overtly floral with pressed violets that threaten to obscure terroir expression. The palate is medium-bodied with a smooth entry, velvety texture with orange zest surfacing on the sweet finish. Should be delicious once bottled.
87-89pts – Neal Martin
2021 Cote de Nuits Village Aux Leurey – Vigne de 1937
SGD $390 ($425.10 inc GST) per 6 bottles – 15 cases available
A very old vineyard in Premeaux, opposite Clos de la Marechale and near Alix Millot’s Aux Faulques. Dominated by a really lovely inner sweetness. Svelte and elegant. Sweet red fruit and spices blossom on the mid-palate. All wild raspberries and crunchy cherries. Has some old vine intensity – planted in 1937. Finishes focused and fragrant.
91/100 – Matthew Hemming MW
High-toned and pretty aromas feature those of essence of red currant along with touches of spice and earth. The rich, succulent and utterly delicious medium-bodied flavors possess good vibrancy as well as solid depth and persistence on the lightly rustic finale.
88-91pts – Allen Meadows
Terms & Conditions
Offer ends on Friday 6th December 2024 l No further discount l Immediate payment required l Delivery fees ($32.72) waived for purchases above $500 before GST excluding airports | Cancellation of orders not allowed l Orders to be collected/delivered upon stock availability l Goods left uncollected may incur storage charges | Offered Ex-Singapore & subject to remaining unsold
