2019 Lignier-Michelot Morey-Saint-Denis Les Faconnieres Premier Cru

The Lignier family have deep roots in the village of Morey Saint Denis and own 10.5 hectares of some of the very best vineyard sites in this village,along with plots in the two neighbouring villages of Chambolle Musigny and Gevrey Chambertin. In the last 10 years Virgile Lignier has modified his wine-making using whole-bunch vinification ranging from 30-100% depending on the vintage and the vineyard, and he has also reduced the percentage of new oak for maturation with most wines seeing around 30% making its effect seamless in the final wines. They are wines which are often very seductive at a young age which also clearly have the potential for ageing superbly. This very young domaine is now regarded among the very best in the Cotes de Nuits.

Les Faconnieres is a beautifully situated vineyard located just below the ‘heart’ of Clos de la Roche, and Virgile's vines were planted in 1948. Often this wine is very close to Grand cru in quality and depth.

Other Reviews....
Firm reduction renders the nose unreadable at present. Otherwise there is very good vibrancy to the dense and muscular but sleek medium weight plus flavors that possess lovely definition, all wrapped in a mouth coating, mineral-driven and powerful finale. This built-to-age and very firm effort will need to develop more depth, but the underlying material appears to be present for that to occur. Drink 2031+.
91-93 points
Allen Meadows - Burghound

The 2019 Morey-Saint-Denis Faconnières 1er Cru, which contains 70-80% whole bunches, has a perfumed and floral bouquet of violets and iris. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-grain tannins, very focused and perhaps the most sophisticated of all Virgile Lignier’s cuvées. He comments that this was closed 10 days ago but to his surprise has completely changed in recent days. On this showing, it will surely be the "must-buy" from Lignier-Michelot’s range. Superb. Drink 2024 - 2045.
93-95 points
Neal Martin - Vinous

70% whole bunch. Planted in 1949. Immensely dense rich dark purple. The nose offers a solid block of very dense fruit, not too ripe but so complete, bursting with energy, dense deep dark cherries, very classy, and still with lots more in reserve. Exceptionally long finish.
93-96 points
Jasper Morris - Inside Burgundy