2006 Lucie & Auguste Lignier Clos de la Roche

Domaine Lucie et Auguste Lignier is a 20-acre estate based in Morey-Saint-Denis, in Burgundy’s Cote de Nuits. It is run by Kellen Lignier and named for her children. She was married to Romain Lignier until he died of cancer at age 34 in 2004. Romain had been running the family estate with his father Hubert Lignier. After Romain’s death Domaine Hubert Lignier was divided up to give some of it to his widow Kellen. The remaining part is now run by Hubert and his son Laurent. Domaine Lucie et Auguste Lignier has vineyards Premier Cru parcels in Gevrey Chambertin, Morey-Saint-Denis and Chambolle Musigny, as well as numerous village parcels. The domain also has a small Grand Cru parcel in Charmes-Chambertin.

Clos de la Roche is a 41-acre Grand Cru vineyard in the Morey St.-Denis appellation in the Cotes de Nuits, in northern Burgundy. The tiny village of Morey St.-Denis is just south of Gevrey-Chambertin and Clos de Roche is considered the appellation’s most superior Grand Cru. The vineyard’s elevation ranges from 270 to 300 meters, and its soil is extremely rocky with excellent drainage. The soil is largely limestone, and in some places it is barely a foot deep. Writer Clive Coates calls Clos de Roche “the classiest of the Morey Grand Crus.” The largest landholders are Ponsot with 8.35 acres; Dujac, 4.88 acres; and Armand Rousseau, 3.7 acres.

This red wine is relatively light and can pair with a wide variety of foods. The grape prefers cooler climates and the wine is most often associated with Burgundy, Champagne and the U.S. west coast. Regional differences make it nearly as fickle as it is flexible.