Thibault Liger-Belair : Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er cru "Les Saint-Georges" 2023

Characteristics and Tasting Tips for the Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er cru "Les Saint-Georges" 2023 from Thibault Liger-Belair

Tasting

Appearance
This red wine displays an intense ruby hue, adorned with violet highlights in its youth.

Nose
The aromatic bouquet is powerful, releasing fresh red and black fruit aromas such as blackberry, cherry, redcurrant and raspberry. This fruity ensemble is complemented by delicate floral touches of violet, as well as spicy nuances reminiscent of bay leaf and white pepper.

Palate
The palate shows beautiful balance and a solid structure, underpinned by exceptionally fine tannins. A delicate salinity accompanies the tasting, adding great complexity and drawing the wine out into a particularly persistent finish.

Food and Wine Pairing

This red wine pairs ideally with flavourful meats such as grilled beef, a veal chop or milk-fed lamb. It is also a wonderful match for traditional slow-cooked dishes such as a beef bourguignon or coq au vin, as well as for game birds and uncooked pressed cheeses.

Serving and Cellaring

To fully enjoy this 2023 vintage, we recommend serving it at a temperature between 14 and 16°C. With significant ageing potential, this wine can be cellared for more than a decade, and enjoyed until around 2038.

The Depth and Elegance of a Premier Cru from Nuits-Saint-Georges

The Estate

Heir to a long family tradition that began in 1720, Thibault Liger-Belair was officially established as a domaine in 2001 by its current owner. Located in the heart of Burgundy, the estate farms approximately 8 hectares of vines in prestigious appellations of the Côte de Nuits, complemented by 12 hectares in Beaujolais. The winemaker stands out for his environmentally respectful approach, with a complete conversion to organic farming and the rigorous application of biodynamic principles. Today, the domaine is renowned for its precise wines, which faithfully reflect the identity of each terroir.

The Vineyard

The 2.05-hectare plot from which this cuvée originates is located in the southern part of the Nuits-Saint-Georges appellation. Planted in 1944, these old vines benefit from an ideal exposure on a slope of moderate altitude. They thrive in a brown limestone soil that is both deep and particularly stony, promoting excellent drainage. This entire historic terroir is carefully cultivated using organic and biodynamic methods, ensuring controlled yields and grapes of great concentration.

The Vintage

The 2023 vintage stands out as a particularly high-quality season in France, and more specifically in this wine region. Despite current climatic challenges, the growing cycle unfolded under the best auspices, allowing the berries to reach harmonious ripeness. The harvest thus yielded fruit with an optimal balance between acidity, sugars and phenolic ripeness.

Winemaking and Ageing

Production begins with meticulous hand harvesting. The winemaking includes 30% whole clusters and continues with a fermentation of around three weeks, favouring a particularly gentle extraction to preserve the finesse of the tannins. The wine is then transferred to oak barrels for a long ageing period of 22 months, half of which are new, carefully selected wood.

Grape Variety

Pinot Noir (100%).