2023 Hubert Lignier, Morey-Saint-Denis, Trilogie - Magnum

Lignier has always been a mainstay for us at MWC, not because they are "classic" in a rigid sense, but because they are constantly defining what classic means by responding to the vintage rather than forcing a signature upon it. Over the last two decades, the domaine has subtly shifted the estate's trajectory, moving away from the more "modern" 50% new oak profiles of the 90s to a much more transparent maximum of 30%. He has steadily transitioned to organic viticulture and, since 2006, has used whole-cluster fermentation to add a savory, structural lift. With a long, patient maturation of up to 21 months and no racking, the wines are allowed to find their own balance. Across the board, 2023s are generous, well-proportioned wines. There is a plushness to the fruit this year that acts as a perfect counterweight to that signature Lignier depth. It’s a vintage that will certainly reward the patient, but it also offers a rare, open-door invitation to those who are just beginning to explore what Morey-Saint-Denis is capable of. Trilogie is the entry point, and not a minor one. The Trilogie assembles fruit from three village-level parcels into a wine that reads more coherently than most domaines' premiers crus. Vines planted in 1936, 1942, 1964, 1972, 1 ha in three climats: Chenevery (60%), Clos Solon (15%), Porroux (25%)