2021 Clos St Denis

Lignier’s Clos Saint-Denis comes from two complementary sites: one on the steeper, rockier, Clos de la Roche side with 70-year-old vines which tend to be responsible for the amazing aromatic lift to the wine. The other plot of 50-year-old vines, on the Morey-Saint-Denis side, brings richness and roundness to the palate. There’s a depth of beautifully ripe, juicy cherry fruit here, polished by the sweetness of new oak. On the palate, the ripe fruit is cut by the wine’s bright and juicy yet chalky texture. There’s lovely persistence and length here, building to a savoury, saline finish that hints at iodine. This is an elegant and classical expression of Grand Cru Pinot Noir. It’s aged in 40% new oak; interestingly, the barrels used for Clos Saint-Denis see shorter more intense toasting, versus a longer, gentler toast for the Clos de la Roche.