Stylish to a fault, Virgile Lignier’s wines should be on every Burgundy lover’s radar if it’s not already. His fabulous 2017s are on offer now. Limited quantities, so book yours today. View online

Virgile Lignier-Michelot Accomplished and stylish to a fault

Virgile Lignier

Lignier-Michelot is a domaine you should seek out. — Neil Martin . . a refined, beautifully understated range from Virgile Lignier — Tim Atkin, MW Virgile has changed his philosophy from one of technical winemaker to passionate viticulturist where all energy is spent on ensuring the growth of the very best vines and letting the wine make itself. A beautiful series of Morey St. Denis appellations. — Becky Wasserman

Virgile Lignier is a vigneron in the ascendant, and very much one to watch, though his DOMAINE LIGNIER-MICHELOT has existed in the heart of the Morey-Saint-Denis landscape for well over a hundred years. Domaine Lignier-Michelot possesses an impressive spread of remarkable vineyards spread across Morey Saint-Denis — over half of which are classified premier or grand cru — as well as choice parcels in Chambolle-Musigny and Gevrey-Chambertin. However, like so many of their neighbours, the domaine’s owners for generations were content to sell off their entire production to négociants. All of this changed when Virgile joined the domaine in 1992 and succeeded in persuading his father Maurice to start domaine-bottling their wines. In 2000, Virgile took full leadership of the domaine and started investing heavily in significant changes, predominantly in the vineyards, to ensure that the grapes for his wines would be of the highest quality. Under his charge, the domaine embraced sustainable viticulture, starting with the abandonment of any form of chemical herbicide and followed by an ultimate shift into organic practices. Virgile prunes diligently in order to control yield and this increases the natural intensity of his grapes. In the cuvérie he sorts ruthlessly to ensure that only the best grapes make it into the wine. The wines are then aged in varying percentages of new oak for up to fifteen months, racked into tank for another three months to allow the wines to settle naturally, and thereafter bottled unfined and unfiltered. Virgile and his son Bertin In recent years, Virgile has adjusted his winemaking to incorporate whole-bunch vinification, ranging from 30-100% depending on the vintage and the vineyard. He has also reduced the percentage of new oak used, in order to accentuate the purity of fruit in the final wines. Furthermore, the completion of his new winery now enables him to work with more control over temperature and very gentle extraction of tannins. The prescience of these decisions is borne out in the glass, and alluringly so. Recent vintages have demonstrated elevated energy with enticing aromatics and silky texture. What Virgile has achieved qualitatively, particularly since 2013, is nothing short of incredible. We are not talking about merely points and scores, but a special intuition that only the most masterful vignerons possess, which translates into wines that incite an emotional response from the drinker. Quite recently, we were served his “Aux Charmes” Premier Cru 2015 in a blind tasting. Given the opulence, intensity and lush aromatics, we were sure the style belonged to a certain Vosne producer named Cathiard. We were bowled over. And also dead wrong. All of which made us even more thrilled when the wine was unveiled. Virgile makes burgundies which are seductive young but which also have a wonderful longevity. They are rich but also sapid. These are wines born of prestigious terroirs, raised without the excesses of over-enthusiastic winemaking. They are encased in cool elegance and finish with an alluring mouthwatering quality, the hallmarks of every great Burgundy. We are thrilled to offer our allocation of the 2017 vintage from Domaine Virgile Lignier-Michelot today. If you are into pure-fruited, aromatically compelling silky Burgundy, this is a domaine to follow, and especially so right now because despite their lofty quality, the domaine’s wines, more than ever, are relative bargains amongst the Côte d’Or’s finest. The pre-arrival offer prices presented here are valid until Monday 2 September 2019. Orders will be processed subject to remaining availability and final written confirmation. Full settlement is required to confirm orders. No further discount. All terms and conditions apply. Consolidation from the domaine is expected to be completed by the end of the year and ex-Singapore availability is expected to follow in Q1 2020, subject to final shipper’s notice.

The Offer

-  OFFER VALID ONLY UNTIL 2 September 2019   -  PRICES ARE QUOTED NETT, no further discount   -  Where allocation rules apply, Priority will be given to clients      who purchase other cuvées   -  SUBJECT TO FINAL WRITTEN CONFIRMATIOn

Not unlike Domaine Hubert Lignier, the Lignier-Michelot range attains the heights that Morey-Saint-Denis can achieve . . This was a very competent set of 2017s from Lignier . . — Neil Martin . . his 2017s are certainly pretty and worthy of your interest  . . — Allen Meadows, Burghound

Bourgogne Pinot Noir 2017 S$ 46 / 750 ML for 3-bottles or more S$ 49 / 750 ML 120 bottles Multiple parcels, 1/3 from Morey-St.-Denis, 2/3 from Chambolle-Musigny with deeper clay soils. Vines planted in the 1960s. “A distinctly earthy nose of various dark berries and a whiff of humus introduce nicely rich, round and juicy flavors that exhibit only a trace of backend rusticity. This delicious effort should drink well early on but reward a few years of keeping if you enjoy the genre with a bit of age.” Allen Meadows

Morey-Saint-Denis Vieilles Vignes 2017 S$ 80 / 750 ML for 3-bottles or more S$ 85 / 750 ML 84 bottles This old vines blend is from 3 different lieux-dits in Morey-Saint-Denis. 50% of the fruit is from Les Cognées, 25% from Très Girard, 25% from Les Chenevery, planted in the 1940s and ’50s. “Matured with 80% whole bunches, the 2017 Morey-Saint-Denis Vieilles Vignes has potent marine/oyster shell scents on a nose that is very focused and poised. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-grained tannin, superb mineralité and a supremely well-proportioned finish. Recommended.” NM 90-92

Morey-Saint-Denis “En la Rue de Vergy” 2017 S$ 80 / 750 ML for 3-bottles or more S$ 85 / 750 ML 60 bottles Above Clos de Tart, terraced, extremely shallow topsoil of marl on limestone bedrock. “The 2017 Morey-Saint-Denis en la Rue de Vergy, matured with 70% whole bunches, has a classy, well-defined blackberry and raspberry nose that reveals traces of tobacco and tar. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy red fruit and hints of orange essence and apricot. The fleshy, nubile finish suggests this will be perfect for early drinking.” NM 88-90 “A much more elegant nose consists of cool and pure aromas of red currant, cherry and lovely floral hints. The racy, sleek and intense lighter weight flavors exude evident minerality on the attractively textured finale that is shaped by bright but not drying acidity. A wine of finesse.” BH 87-90

Morey-Saint-Denis 1er Cru “Aux Chezeaux” 2017 S$ 128 / 750 ML for 3-bottles or more S$ 135 / 750 ML 60 bottles From vines planted from the 1945 to ’80s, on the Gevrey side of Morey, below Charmes, deeper limestone soils. 80% whole cluster. “The 2017 Morey-Saint-Denis Aux Chezeaux 1er Cru has a more candied bouquet than the Aux Charmes, with more red fruit, though still a little reduced. The palate is fleshy and caressing in texture, offering layers of lightly spiced, succulent red fruit and fanning out gently with hints of Moroccan spice toward the voluminous finish. Maybe earlier-drinking than the other Premier Crus from the domaine, but well-crafted.” NM 90-92

Also available: Domaine Virgile Lignier-Michelot’s fabulous 2016s, now in-stock  Offer Qty Offer Price  Rating Morey-Saint-Denis Vieilles Vignes 2016 48 S$ 88 NM 91-93 Morey-Saint-Denis 1er Cru “Aux Chezeaux” 2016 48 S$ 145 TA 93 Morey-Saint-Denis 1er Cru “Aux Charmes” 2016 12 S$ 145 BH 91 Morey-Saint-Denis 1er Cru “Les Faconnières” 2016 18 S$ 152 NM 92-94 Clos de la Roche Grand Cru 2016 6 S$ 390 NM 95-97

Morey-Saint-Denis 1er Cru “Aux Charmes” 2017 S$ 128 / 750 ML for 3-bottles or more S$ 135 / 750 ML 48 bottles This Morey 1er Cru is thus named because it is a small continuation of the Gevrey-Chambertin Grand Cru Les Mazoyères, which may also be called Charmes. The vines are planted in 1954 at the bottom of combe just below Combottes. “The 2017 Morey-Saint-Denis Aux Charmes 1er Cru has a brooding intensity on the well-defined, focused nose of blackberry, woodland and pine aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with very fine tannin, the 80% whole bunches discreet and only noticeable toward the harmonious, white pepper and crushed stone finish. Excellent.” NM 91-93

Morey-Saint-Denis 1er Cru “Les Faconnières” 2017 S$ 138 / 750 ML for 3-bottles or more S$ 145 / 750 ML 60 bottles For Virgile, this terroir, especially the soils, are worthy of Grand Cru status. “You just can’t make bad wine here.” From vines planted in 1948 above Les Chenevery on richer clay soils. 80% whole cluster. “The 2017 Morey-Saint-Denis Faconnières 1er Cru, which Virgile Lignier aptly describes as a Petit Clos de la Roche, shows the same brooding intensity as the Aux Charmes, offering blackberry, wild hedgerow and crushed stone aromas and traces of moorland and heather. The slightly chalky palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannin, and there is fine acidity and real energy on the finish. I like the persistence and depth here. Superb.” NM 92-94

Clos de la Roche Grand Cru 2017 S$ 318 / 750 ML for 3-bottles or more S$ 332 / 750 ML 60 bottles A mix of vines planted in 1968 and the 90s, from multiple small parcels bordering Les Monts Luisants, shallow soil (30cm) mostly limestone with large stones and some small rocks. “The 2017 Clos de la Roche Grand Cru is matured with 80% whole bunch fruit. It has a very precise, intense bouquet of blackberry, leather, sous-bois and light iris aromas that gently unfold in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin. This is a relatively linear and prudent Clos de la Roche that does not want to let its hair down, but feels reassuringly correct and precise on the finish. Very fine and understated.” NM 92-94

TERMS & CONDITIONS Prices are quoted nett in Singapore Dollars (SGD), pre-arrival ex-Singapore, valid until 2 September 2019. No further discount. Prices are for single bottle size (750 ML) unless otherwise specified. Orders will be processed subject to remaining availability and final written confirmation. Allocations rule will apply to certain wines as indicated above. Full payment must be made no later than 7 days after invoice date to confirm the order. We reserve the right to redistribute wines ordered not honoured by timely payment or sufficient mutually agreeable notice. This offer is non-transferable and cannot be used in conjunction with other offers and/or promotions. Wines sold are not returnable. The wines are estimated to arrive in Q1 2020, subject to shipper’s final notice. Customers will be updated with regards to final ex-cellar Singapore availability. Delivery fee is waived for purchases over $500 before GST in a single receipt to a single Singapore address. Otherwise S$25 delivery fee per address applies. Please allow a few days to coordinate collection or delivery. Order(s) are to be collected/delivered within 1 month upon notification of ex-stock availability. Failure to take delivery / collect goods will result in storage fees being charged to your account.

VIEW ARTISAN CELLARS AUGUST 2019 WINE LIST This list outlines a compilation of artisanal wines that we carry. We take pride in the sourcing and provenance of our wines, from the most affordable to the higher ends. As importers, most of our wines come direct from the estates. We are proud to work with the most respected growers from every wine region, each of them representing the very best that their respective appellation is capable of producing. To augment our list, we occasionally include quality wines from only impeccable sources. Regardless of point of origin, we are always committed to shipping and storing them in ideal cellar conditions. Please email us at sales@artisan-cellars.com or call us at +65 6838 0373 to enquire about exact availability of wines, or to find out anything you wish to know about our wines.

390 Orchard Road B1-01 Palais Renaissance Singapore 238871 t    +65 6838 0373 f    +65 6836 0036 e    sales@artisan-cellars.com w   www.artisan-cellars.com