Domaine & Maison Thibault Liger-Belair, Nuits-St-Georges

Background

Vine cultivation and wine trading have been in Thibault's family since 1720. The original estate, established by the first Vicomte Liger-Belair (one of Napoleon's generals) covered 100 hectares.

Thibault assumed control in 2003 after 6 years oenological training and establishing an on-line wine business.He bought the ancient Liger-Belair acreage from his own family.

He has recently acquired an estate in Moulin-a-Vent and is making the wines as he would his Richebourg.

Size: 7.25ha

Viticultural and vinification methods Thibault practises organic viticulture and holds 'Ecocert' certification but also works according to biodynamic principles.

He believes with healthy grapes and strict sorting 80% of the job is done.

'I do not wish to establish 'signature' wines or develop a ' house style'. Instead my aim is to let the individual terroirs speak out clearly for themselves.' His passion for the terroir to speak comes through in details such as the commisioning of a cooper. This he does after each harvest, tailoring the toast to suit the wine plot by plot.

Wines are aged on lees between 12 and 18 months depending on appellation. Never more than 50% new oak is used but no more than three vintages pass through each barrel.

In accordance with Thibault's respect for terroir no fining or filtration is used on the wines.

Wines

Moulin-à-Vent 'les Rouchaux'

Moulin-à-Vent Vieilles Vignes

Bourgogne Rouge 'les Grand Chaillots'

Hautes Côtes de Nuits 'Clos de Prieure'

Hautes Côtes de Nuits 'Corvée de Villy'

Nuits St Georges 'la Charmotte'

Gevrey-Chambertin 'la Croix des Champs'

Aloxe-Corton 1er Cru la Toppe au Vert (négoce)

Vosne-Romanée 'aux Reas' (negoce)

Nuits St Georges 1er Cru les St. Georges

Corton le Rognet Grand Cru (négoce)

Corton Renardes Grand Cru (négoce)

Clos Vougeot Grand Cru

Richebourg Grand Cru