Chambolle Musigny 1er cru Les Baudes 2023 Domaine Hubert Lignier

The Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Baudes 2023 from Domaine Hubert Lignier is one of the most coveted Premier Crus from the domaine, scoring 95 points from Decanter Magazine on the 2022 vintage. On the 2022 vintage, Jasper Morris singled out Chambolle Baudes as his favourite among all of Lignier's cuvées. These wines are deep and refined, often richly coloured and complex, mineral-driven and with impressive length. They age beautifully over more than 20 years. A wine of pure elegance, with solid ageing potential yet already charming in its youth after aeration.

Terroir and vineyard

Laurent Lignier's parcel in Les Baudes covers just 18 ares, positioned at the northern edge of the vineyard, immediately below the Grand Cru Bonnes-Mares, where Laurent built a neat dry-stone wall. The rows run north to south, perpendicular to the slope, an exposure and configuration that favour optimal sunlight and remarkable natural drainage. The vines, planted in 1960, are over 60 years old and produce naturally very low yields. The soil is argilo-calcareous, composed of red marls and limestone rocks on a gentle slope, whose richness in iron oxides and calcareous composition create the deeper, denser character that distinguishes Les Baudes from other Chambolle-Musigny Premier Crus. This parcel sits at the boundary between Chambolle's floral, airy style and Morey's more powerful, structured style, borrowing from both. Organic cultivation since 2019. Hand-harvested, strict sorting. Fermentation with 25 to 30 per cent whole bunches, indigenous yeasts. Ageing of 21 to 22 months on lees in barrel, with just one new oak for the entire parcel, unfined and unfiltered.

Tasting profile

The robe is a deep ruby with violet glints, more intense than the Bussières, revealing the natural density of this red marl terroir at the foot of Bonnes-Mares. The nose is refined and aristocratic, unveiling elegant floral aromas of violet and rose, mingled with fresh red fruits, redcurrant and wild strawberry, and deeper notes of black cherry, white pepper and forest floor. Asian spice notes and a savoury, earthy touch bring complexity and depth that echo the immediate proximity of Morey. On the 2023 vintage, an explosion of red fruits on the palate, with a fresh, clean and complete finish. The palate is of great finesse, with a silky texture and a delicate yet precise tannin structure. The balance between aromatic intensity and freshness is remarkable. The finish, long and subtly mineral, leaves a sense of harmony and absolute purity. Best approached after five to seven years, then drink over the following twenty years.

The domaine

Hubert Lignier founded the domaine in the 1970s in Morey-Saint-Denis. Following his death in 2004, his brother Laurent took over from 2006. The estate comprises 11 hectares of vines certified organic since the 2019 vintage, with an average age of 50 years. The philosophy is constant: create authentic, sensual wines that express their respective terroir, with the absolute conviction that 75 per cent of wine quality comes from vineyard quality.

Food pairing

This Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Baudes pairs beautifully with pigeon with wild mushrooms, roast Bresse chicken with morels, rack of lamb with Provence herbs, partridge with cabbage or game birds. It will also find fine harmony with aged cheeses such as Époisses or Cîteaux. One hour of decanting is recommended in its youth. Served between 15 and 17°C, it will progressively reveal all the depth, floral finesse and elegance of one of the domaine's finest Premier Crus.