Moulin-à-Vent Vieilles Vignes 2015

THIBAULT LIGER-BELAIR

Moulin-à-Vent Vieilles Vignes
2015

  • Organic
  • Biodynamic
Country
France
Regulated designation
Appellation origine controlée (AOC)
Region
Beaujolais
Appellation
Moulin-à-Vent
Varietal(s)
Gamay 100 %
Colour
Red
Producer's website

About this winery

Thibault Liger-Belair comes from a great winemaking family that has deep roots in Burgundy: he is a direct descendant of the Napoleonic General Louis Liger-Belair, who acquired the Chateau de Vosne in 1815 when he married Ludovie Marey, whose family had been Burgundy negociants since 1720. Youthful, passionate and always full of ideas, Thibault trained as an oenologist, but had his start in the wine industry as a wine buyer. He is also a former rugby player with a genuine 'down to earth'...

See the THIBAULT LIGER-BELAIR detail page for more information on this brand

Product notes

This vineyard is 7 ha (17.3 acres) and planted between 1910 and 1955. This wine is a blend of nine parcels. It is 50% of our whole production of domaine wine. All the vines are situated like a belt around the hill of Moulin à Vent. This is the flagship of the domain as it has half the area. Shallow soil, more white and pink sand, comes from the pink granite and quartz that we find between 30 and 60 cm (12 and 24 in).

Production notes

The grapes are harvested by hand and they are using 30% whole cluster fermentation. They are aging the wine in 30% new French oak barrels. The wines are unfiltered and unfined.

Tasting notes

This wine is sourced for vineyards that are 65-100 years old. These vines help produce a very concentrated and an intense dark cherry nose. This wine is medium bodied with layers of cassis, minerality and beautiful fresh acidity.

Press reviews

Vinous

- 92 points -

Josh Raynolds, October 2019 (Vintage 2018)

Shimmering violet color. Intense dark berry and cherry qualities on the nose, with suggestions of candied flowers, licorice and smoky minerals building in the glass. Juicy and broad on the palate, offering intense, smoke-accented blackberry and bitter cherry flavors that become sweeter with air. Sappy and impressively concentrated, finishing with powerful thrust, chewy tannins and strong, spice-tinged persistence.

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Vinous

- 92 points -

Stephen Tanzer, August 2016 (Vintage 2014)

Bright magenta. Exotic, highly perfumed aromas of ripe dark berries, blood orange, potpourri and spicecake, given urgency by a mineral flourish. Juicy and sharply focused, offering concentrated black raspberry, cherry compote and violet pastille flavors and a touch of allspice on the back half. Finishes smooth, sweet and very long, with sneaky tannins adding structure and gentle grip to the wine's plush fruit.

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Jeb Dunnuck

- 92 points -

March 2018 (Vintage 2015)

I loved the 2015 Moulin A Vent Vieilles Vignes. This terrific 100% Gamay effort boasts a deep, inky color to go with full-bodied notes of blueberries, spice, liquid violets, and graphite. Possessing full-bodied richness and terrific concentration, it’s an exotic, singular beauty that’s well worth checking out.

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Decanter

- 91 points -

June 2017 (Vintage 2015)

A modern style with upfront, vibrant and chewy oak in a well-executed combination with forward fruit. Glossy, luxurious and enjoyable.

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Burghound.com

- 89 points -

June 2016 (Vintage 2012)

As it was when originally reviewed from cask this is presently quite reduced and even extended aeration didn’t cause it to completely dissipate though it did help. Otherwise there is good verve and volume to the delicious and nicely concentrated medium-bodied flavors that possess a velvety mouth feel, all wrapped in an ever-so-slightly warm finale that delivers good if not special length. While not technically perfect this is not without plenty of appeal and note that this could be enjoyed now or held for a few years first.

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Burghound.com

(90-92) Points

January 2016 (Vintage 2014)

This is also noticeably reduced and impossible to assess aromatically. Here too there is good punch to the focused, intense and more mineral-inflected medium-bodied flavors that possess not only a different texture thanks to the additional concentration but also better depth, length and definition.

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Burghound.com

89-91 Points

Allen Meadows, January 2012

A reduced nose hides the nuance but it's clear that the underlying fruit is ripe. There is good richness to the complex and vibrant flavors that are underpinned by phenolically mature structural elements and fine length. This firmly structured example displays the classic size, weight and power of a fine Moulin-à-Vent.

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Burghound.com

90-92 Points

January 2018 (Vintage 2016)

Moderate reduction masks the underlying fruit but I doubt that it will last. Otherwise the succulent, dense and powerful flavors evidence a really lovely texture before concluding in a mildly rustic, serious and youthfully austere finish. This too is worth considering provided that you have the patience to allow it at least some time in bottle first. *Outstanding, Top Value.

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Vinous

(91-93) points

Antonio Galloni, January 2014 (Vintage 2012)

The 2012 Moulin-à-Vent Vieilles Vignes is a blend of fruit from 7 parcels, all planted mid-slope. Savory herbs, new leather, licorice and graphite all add complexity to the dark fruit. The style is deep, intense and explosive. This is another super-impressive showing from Thibault Liger-Belair.

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