Virgile Lignier-Michelot - an exciting new allocation

During our trip to Burgundy at the end of last year an old friend tipped us off that Virgile Ligner, in Morey Saint Denis, was looking for a new distributor in Singapore and we should pay him a visit.  When your old friend is the importer who discovered Henri Jayer in the early 1980s you take his tips very seriously so, before heading to the airport for our flights home, we squeezed in a final tasting to meet Virgile.

Considered, warm and thoughtful, Virgile took us through a range of 2022s combining succulent fruit and old vine intensity, accented by the spice of whole bunch fermentation.  Our whole team was entranced by the fine-spun textures and filigree tannins of these wines and I immediately set about trying to secure an allocation.

I left impressed by a winery that’s clearly made appreciable progress over the last few years, delivering a range of sauve, fleshy 2022s with good depth and balance
– William Kelley / The Wine Advocate

It has taken some time, but Vinum’s first allocation of Virgile Lignier-Michelot wines is now ‘on the water’ and will arrive in Singapore early next month.  The domaine is based in Morey St Denis and we have selected wines to showcase the terroir of Virgile’s home turf:

• En Rue de Vergy is a decidedly superior village-level lieux dit, directly above Clos de Tart.  The cooler microclimate really suits vintages like 2022 and this Cru was a strong recommendation from our friend who introduced us to Virgile.
• 1er Cru Les Faconnieres is just below Clos de la Roche and a signature of the domaine – Virgile made a full 15 barrels in 2022.  A huge 93-95pts from Jasper Morris MW (Inside Burgundy).
• The limestone terroir gives Les Chenevery a laser-like focus.  This was my favourite of the Morey 1er Cru wines, just a notch above Faconnieres.

Virgile Lignier-Michelot is one of the most exciting names we have welcomed to our red Burgundy list in some time.  Stylish and expressive wines, with impressive scores from the critics, from top notch vineyards.  We have just a small allocation for our inaugural shipment – so please be quick to secure your first choices – and look forward to building Virgile’s presence in our range in the future.

With best wishes,
Matthew Hemming MW

The Offer:
Offered subject to remaining unsold and available from our Singapore cellars mid-November.

Virgile Lignier-Michelot

2022 Morey Saint Denis ‘En la Rue de Vergey’
SGD $450 ($490.50 inc GST) per case (6*75cl OC) – 8 cases available
From a cool, elevated site, above the Clos de Tart on the road out of Morey, with particularly poor soil.  Does well in warmer years due to the altitude.  Dark and juicy fruit with a marked spice character throughout from Virgile’s signature use of whole clusters.  Mineral and serious.  Dry, spicy finish.
90-93pts – Matthew Hemming MW

is at once ripe yet cool and airy with its aromas of poached plum, black raspberry and violet hints. The supple, delicious and vibrant middleweight flavors possess both good detail and a prominent bead of minerality that adds a sense of lift to the lingering finale. This too could use better depth so a few years of cellaring should prove beneficial.
89-91pts – Allen Meadows

whole bunch, as there was not enough space in the tanks for more. This may not have developed much bouquet yet but is multilayered on the palate with dark berries, then some red fruit, an occasional chocolate note, a bit of white pepper and fine persistence. No marked acidity. Should be accessible soon and will be lovely. Drink from 2028-2035.

91-94pts – Jasper Morris MW

2022 Morey Saint Denis 1er Cru Les Faconnieres
SGD $720 ($784.80 inc GST) per case (6*75cl OC) – 10 cases available
Just below Clos de la Roche and with a similar soil profile.  Sleek and juicy fruit profile.  Red fruit and an intensely mineral drive through the mid-palate.  Tannins are firm yet finely woven.  Very long as waves of flavour unfurl.  Today, of the currently less cohesive wines but with huge potential.
93-95pts – Matthew Hemming MW

The 2022 Morey-Saint-Denis Faconnières 1er Cru leans more towards earthy red fruit on the nose, touches of rose bush emanating from the 70% whole bunches, open-knit and perhaps more approachable than others from the Domaine. The palate is medium-bodied with a slightly chocolatey, lactic entry dovetailing into a nicely structured, fresh and vibrant mid-palate. There’s a very fine thread of acidity here – a worthy follow-up to Virgile’s impressive 2021.
92-94pts – Neal Martin / Vinous

70% whole bunch. Mid purple, The bouquet suggests concentration without delivering detail. Solid on the palate, with blueberries alongside the more traditional red fruits, fills the mid palate nicely, all the structural elements fully in balance, with present but well ripened tannins. A fine long aftertaste. Drink from 2030-2037.
93-95pts – Jasper Morris MW

2022 Morey Saint Denis 1er Cru Les Chenevery
SGD $750 ($817.50 inc GST) per case (6*75cl OC) – 5 cases available
One of the smaller productions: 5 barrels vs 15 of Faconnieres.  A limestone terroir giving a very direct and focused expression.  The fruit has a compact and tightly-focused quality – like a laser beam.  Tannins are fine and precise.  Mineral.  Slightly saline, crunchy finish.
94-95pts – Matthew Hemming MW

Layered aromas include those of purple fruit, spiced tea and a plethora of floral elements. The super-sleek and beautifully detailed middleweight plus flavors possess a beguiling texture yet the impressively long finish does not lack for power or depth. It is always a bit of vintage-by-vintage battle between this and the Faconnières but at this very early stage, it appears that the Chenevery has the early lead. We will of course see in 12 to 15 years as both wines should develop and cellar gracefully.
91-94pts – outstanding – Allen Meadows

More crimson than purple. An intriguing bouquet with some elegance, very detailed, as there seems to be more of a mineral thread here. This has gone back to barrel for extra ageing. It is a fine and complex wine, with excellent structure. Drink from 2030-2037.
93-95pts – Jasper Morris MW