2023, Domaine Lignier-Michelot, MOREY-SAINT-DENIS, 1er Cru, 'Les Faconnières'

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

Mid crimson-ruby. The whole bunches (80%) make their presence felt on the nose, along with a more robust fruit than the graceful Charmes. More intensity of the red and black berries as well on the palate. As always, Faconnières offers a Morey of substance and class, with a particularly long finish. Drink from 2032-2038.
**** 92-94 Jasper Morris MW.

The 2023 Morey-Saint-Denis Faconnières 1er Cru, which contains 70% whole cluster, offers black pepper and pencil shaving scents on the nose that leans more toward the black side of the fruit spectrum. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, quite peppery and lively, but there is also a sense of elegance and Pinoté toward the lingering finish. There's good potential here.
92-94 Neal Martin.

Spicy aromas include those of black cherry, raspberry, earth and a variety of floral elements. There is a lovely sense of underlying tension suffusing the sleek and beautifully detailed medium weight flavours that exude a subtle minerality on the compact, firm and built-to-age finale. This is also lovely and I particularly like the balance. Sweet Spot Outstanding.
90-93 Burghound.