Lignier Michelot Morey St. Denis les Cheneverys 1er Cru 2016 (750ML)

92-94 WA / 91-94 BH / 91+ VM

The 2016 Morey St Denis 1er Cru les Cheneverys, with 50% whole-bunch fruit, has a more high-toned bouquet than the other Morey premier crus, perhaps trying a bit too hard to make an impression after the exquisite Faconnières. It actually begins to gain more composure with aeration, offering attractive orange blossom scents that complement the red and black fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannin, great depth and cohesion, solid structure and a very precise finish. This is a brilliant Morey-Saint-Denis that should offer two decades of drinking fulfillment.—Neal Martin, The Wine Advocate

Note: 40% whole cluster

Tasting note: An elegant and intensely floral nose flashes notes of both red and dark raspberry along with background wisps of spice and earth. The succulent, round and delicious medium weight plus flavors possess excellent mid-palate concentration before concluding in a beautifully lingering finish. The intensity definitely builds from the mid-palate on back and overall this is a refined wine that delivers really good power. Patience.—Allen Meadows, Burghound

(13.4% alcohol; 41 hectoliters per hectare produced from vines with cordon en royat trellising; vinified with 80% whole clusters): Deep medium red. Soil-driven scents of redcurrant, raspberry, spices, mocha and leather; there's something almost claret-like about this. Then quite rich and penetrating in the mouth, conveying strong saline minerality and real punch. The firm, powerful back end features a solid spine of tannins and a positive dryness. Conveys a strong impression of terroir character and the vinosity for a leisurely evolution in bottle. Lignier did only two pigeages for this wine, as he feels that it already had enough structure from its active calcaire soil.-- Stephen Tanzer, Vinous Media