Morey-Saint-Denis Trilogie AOC 2022

The Morey-Saint-Denis Trilogie is a Pinot Noir from three village parcels bordering the Premiers Crus, built for finesse rather than power. The colour is a light, slightly hazy cherry red, and the nose hints at more than a village blend: cherry, blackberry and blood orange, with earth, undergrowth and spice, topped by vanilla and cinnamon-cherry from very delicate oak.

One hectare split across Chenevery (60%), Clos Solon (15%) and Porroux (25%). The parcels lie to the north and south of the village, on the edge of the Premiers Crus. The vines were planted in 1936, 1942, 1964 and 1972; their age keeps yields to an average of 30 hl/ha. The Lignier family has grown Pinot Noir in Morey-Saint-Denis since the 1880s, and today Laurent Lignier runs the estate as its fifth generation.

Pinot Noir from an early-ripening vintage: a mild spring, a very sunny and dry summer, interrupted by heavy rain in late June, up to 150 mm within a few days, which helped the vines through the water stress of July and August. Harvest began on 1 September. Fermentation used around 33% whole clusters, with maceration lasting 15 to 17 days rather than the previous 20, with very little punch-down and gentle pressing, favouring infusion over extraction. The cellar works by gravity alone, new oak is used sparingly and spread across four coopers. Three barrels were produced.

Silky, fine and vibrant, with lively fruit, a hint of vanilla and dark chocolate, extremely fine tannin and good length. 13.0% vol., dry.

Three barrels from one hectare of old vines. No synthetic products have been used in the vineyards since 2007.