Lignier has fully hit his stride as an accomplished winemaker. Yes, he has had any number of past successes, but his wines have been stellar for the last 5 or so vintages and his 2022s will only burnish that reputation. If you aren't familiar with his wines, you should be.

– Burghound

Many more than five years ago, a few of us had the chance to enjoy dinner with Virgile Lignier. He was one of the young crop of vignerons and vigneronnes at the dinner who were somewhere in the process of taking charge at their family domaines (Cyrielle Rousseau of Armand Rousseau was there, for instance). 

Dinners like that are always fun. But this one was also a revelation. Virgile was, we discovered, a true wine lover: he was so curious about what we were drinking and loving in America; he was such a thoughtful taster; he was such a deep thinker about his farming and winemaking, about how the wines pair with food and age over time. All the other growers wanted to sit and chat with him and it was clear that he was going places. 

Well, as you can see from the Burghound review, he’s arrived. He’s continued his family’s traditional practices (the wines were discovered by the late, great Becky Wasserman) but has introduced his own forward-thinking touches including organic and biodynamic practices, ambient yeast fermentations, and whole cluster fermentation when and as he finds it helpful.

Lignier-Michelot Coteaux Bourguignons Rouge Cuvee 822 2022 - $41.99
“Very ripe aromas include those of black cherry, cassis and a whiff of warm earth. The sleek, delicious and nicely vibrant flavors display good length and only mild rusticity on the balanced finale. This offers solid quality for the genre.” (Burghound)

Lignier-Michelot Bourgogne Pinot Noir 2022 - $57.99
From 50+ year old vines in the amazing Bons Bâtons vineyard, Burghound rated it “Outstanding ♥” and said: Deep ruby hue. While the nose is similar to the Cuvée 822, there is more refinement to the nicely dense middleweight flavors that also display a touch of rusticity on the more complex and sneaky long finale. This too offers solid quality for what it is.” 

Lignier-Michelot Morey Saint Denis 1er Cru Les Faconnieres 2022 - $179.99
The next three will show best if you open them ahead of time (or cellar them, of course!). Burghound: “A background hint of reduction isn't enough to overshadow the notes of liqueur-like dark berries, violet, spice and a subtle application of wood. There is fine volume, power and a taut muscularity to the mineral-driven larger-scaled flavors that aren't quite as refined on the bitter pit fruit-inflected finish that is firm, balanced, long and youthfully austere. Outstanding ♥” 

Lignier-Michelot Chambolle Musigny Vieilles Vignes 2022 - $94.99
Burghound raved: “Ripe, fresh and decidedly floral-suffused aromas are comprised by notes of plum, black raspberry and spice. The succulent, rich and attractively textured medium weight flavors exude evident minerality on the youthfully austere, dusty and noticeably more structured finale.” 

Lignier-Michelot Morey Saint Denis En La Rue de Vergy 2022 - $98.99
Burghound: “This is at once ripe yet cool and airy with its aromas of poached plum, black raspberry and violet hints. The supple, delicious and vibrant middleweight flavors possess both good detail and a prominent bead of minerality that adds a sense of lift to the lingering finale.”