Domaine des Chezeaux are the largest owners of the Grand Cru Griotte-Chambertin. As you know their parcel is farmed en metayage by Ponsot with one third of the wine returned to Chezeaux and released under their own label.
What you may not know is that a smaller portion of Domaine des Chezeaux’s Griotte vineyard has traditionally been farmed by Domaine Rene Leclerc. Domaine des Chezeaux has not been too impressed with Leclerc’s effort and in 2014 the decision was made to make part of this portion available to Domaine Hubert Lignier. In 2014 Lignier made one barrel as an experimental cuvee. The wine was very well received. In 2015 Lignier was provided with twice the amount and produced two barrels of Griotte-Chambertin which has been made available as the first commercial release.
It will be very interesting to see how this rare bottling compares with the Ponsot vinification. Lignier has a light hand and his style is very different to Laurent Ponsot’s. If you are a buyer of Domaine des Chezeaux’s Griotte-Chambertin you should treat yourself to a bottle of this Lignier cuvee. They will be wonderful to compare.
As the first commercial release, and with less than 600 bottles produced, this is destined to become a collector’s item. We have a handful of bottles available. It is not cheap – but rarity never is. Priced at a little more Domaine des Chezeaux’s Griotte-Chambertin (and much less than Ponsot’s label) it is a wine to seriously consider. There will be very, very few bottles in Australia.
