2021, Domaine Lignier-Michelot, MOREY-SAINT-DENIS, 1er Cru, 'Les Faconnieres'

From 60+ year old vines - the vineyard name derived from the French for falcons - and sits on stony soil below Clos de la Roche.

80% whole bunch vinification. Bright fresh purple. The nose is mostly red fruit, ripe cherry and fresher raspberry. There is impressive density of fruit on the palate, just ripe enough, with admirable length, indeed the fruit easily covers the structure. Drink from 2027-2034. **** 92-94 Jasper Morris MW.

The 2021 Morey-Saint-Denis Faconnières 1er Cru includes 70% whole bunches. Now this has a wonderful, complex bouquet, with shimmering red berry fruit, heightened mineralité, traces of Earl Grey and fresh tobacco leaf percolating through with aeration. The palate is beautifully balanced with fine grain tannins, nuanced and intellectual, succinctly focused on the persistent finish. Bon vin! 93-95 Neal Martin.

A discreet dollop of wood easily allows the ripe and fresh aromas of plum, black cherry, anise and violet to be appreciated. There is excellent richness and punch to the medium weight plus flavours that display plenty of minerality on the youthfully austere and impressively long finale. I like the balance and this beauty should repay a decade plus of keeping. Outstanding. 91-93 Burghound.