By: AJ McClellan
We had Thibault Liger-Belair in to taste us on his wines yesterday and all I can say is, “Wow!”. Every single wine that I tried was superb; I have not been this impressed with a winemaker’s new releases since I tried through Perrot Minot’s wines. Not only were the wines outstanding but Thibault’s wines were surprisingly well priced for the prestige of the vineyards and the high quality of the wine making.
2008 Thibault Liger Belair Aloxe Corton 1er La Toppe au Vert – Big spice with clove, black cherry, and big black tea on the nose. The palate was good old Texas tea with some cinnamon sticks and clove poured over a dirt floor. Very smooth on the palate with soft tannins and excellent structure.
2007 Thibault Liger Belair Corton GC – I was very impressed with this wine! Bright on the nose and palate with red cherry, red currant, chamomile tea, light vanilla bean, big cooking spice, and a hint of wheat on the back end. The palate had smokiness to it with a long finish and superb balance. A little heavy for a Corton but very well structured with a minute plus finish. Great wine.
2008 Thibault Liger Belair Nuits Saint Georges la Charmotte – For a village level wine, this bottle knocked my socks off, beautiful nose of bright red cherries and subtle spice. The palate showed a dusting of vanilla over freshly turned soil and forest floor. Excellent balance with great fruit and acid.
2008 Thibault Liger Belair Clos Vougeot GC – Bright red fruits with a huge floral notes of red roses and churned black soil. Great minerality with notes of tobacco on the palate. Very chewy with big tannins. I think this wine will be stunning but it needs a good 5-7 years in the bottle before it starts to mellow out.
2008 Thibault Liger Belair Nuits Saint Georges 1er Les Saint Georges – Scorched earth on the nose with plums, cloves, and notes of brown stems. The palate was big and round in the mouth with huge earthy notes and very subdued fruit.
2008 Thibault Liger Belair Richebourg GC – A montage of teas with earl grey, chamomile, and Oolong mixed with black liquorish, sweet leaf tobacco, and crushed rocks. The palate was massive with tight tannins and big tobacco and dark earthy notes.