2018 Georges Lignier et Fils, Clos Saint-Denis Grand Cru 1x75cl

Jasper Morris – 89-91

From barrel. Rich mid purple, juicy but lacks precision. Some toast and a light barrel spice, juicy dark red fruit but tails away. Not quite up to standard for grand cru. Perhaps some of the precision will return after racking. [01/03/2020]

JancisRobinson.com – 17.5+

Cask sample. Compact and blocky in structure, as if pixellated at present and needs time to gain resolution. That’s entirely forgivable for a grand cru, and the underlying fruit has a tarry savoury character that bodes well. Patience needed. (RH) [07/01/2020]

Anticipated maturity: 2026-2043

Decanter – 95

Benoît Stehly kicked off the 2018 harvest with his 1.49ha holdings of Clos St Denis, sourced from three parcels. It looks like a smart move, because this has has retained the renowned focus, elegance and transparency of the Grand Cru with racy acidity, some clove and fresh tobacco notes from 30% whole clusters, detailed tannins and intense wild strawberry sweetness. Beguiling stuff. [21/10/2019]

Anticipated maturity: 2024-2032