2010 Thibault Liger-Belair Moulin-à-Vent Vieilles Vignes

Domaine Thibault Liger-Belair is 20-acre estate in Nuits-Saint-Georges. It was created in 2003 by Thibault Liger-Belair, whose family has been in the wine business in Burgundy for several hundred years. Preceding generations ran domaines and negociant businesses. Today Thibault runs Domaine Thibault Liger-Belair and has a self-named negociant company. The domaine has parcels in eight appellations. There are Grand Crus in Clos de Vougeot and Richebourg, and Premier Crus in Vosne Romanee and Nuits-Saints-Georges. Thibault is the cousin of Louis-Michel of Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair. Clive Coates notes that Domaine Thibault Liger-Belair “is a future star.”

Moulin-à-Vent is a Beaujolais Cru appellation that takes its charming name from the only windmill, or moulin-à-vent, still in existence in Beaujolais. The picturesque windmill is several hundred years old and features prominently on the labels of some producers in the appellation. Moulin-à-Vent is located in the north central region of Beaujolais, and it includes 1,605 acres of vineyards. Many Beaujolais admirers consider it the “King” of the Beaujolais Crus, and Moulin-à-Vent wines are known for their richness, fullness and their ability to age. Like nearly all of Beaujolais, the grape grown here is Gamay. About 400,000 cases are produced annually.

The Gamay grape produces a light, versatile and food-friendly wine. It is best known for making Beaujolais Nouveau, but it is also grown in Loire and Tours. Thankfully the 14th C. Duke of Burgundy’s degree to ban the grape did not spread through all of France.