2006 Morey St Denis Les Faconnieres
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Tasting notes
From old vines in a clay-rich site just north of far larger Les Millandes, the Lignier-Michelot 2006 Morey-St.-Denis Les Faconnieres smells of smoky black tea, resin, sassafras, plum and black raspberry. Bitter herbal pungency and persistent smokiness accent the sweet fruit while fine-grained but abundant tannins suggest a firm structure for 6-8 years aging. This finishes with the energy and brightness kicked to the next level from that already displayed by so many of the wines in this collection. Virgile Lignier shared the surprise expressed by many growers at how steadily the 2006s improved in the course of their elevage. He experienced only a 15% drop in net yield vis-a-vis 2005, noting that most of the fruit he discarded was what had suffered from hail rather than succumbed to rain and rot. Becky Wasserman Selection (various importers), Le Serbet; fax 011-333-80-24-29-70
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Good full red. Redcurrant and licorice on the nose, along with the musky oak quality shown by virtually all of these 2006s today. Fat and pliant, with enticing sweetness to its flavors of red fruits, brown spices and truffle. The sweet, tongue-dusting tannins arrive late, allowing the fruit to open nicely and carry well. Began a bit lacking in lift but seemed to gain in grip as it opened in the glass. The 2007 may be more precise but this is considerably fatter.
Good deep red-ruby. Pure, complex aromas of black cherry, raspberry, minerals, brown spices, smoke and menthol; very Morey. Sweet and lush on entry, then sappy and spicy in the middle, with lovely freshness of fruit and inner-mouth aromatic perfume (this one has the highest volatile acidity of the range in 2006, which is generally between 0.55 and 0.6 in VA, according to Lignier). The sweetest '06 on the finish to this point, showing broad, ripe tannins and lovely lingering perfume. Complete and very promising.
Not so expressive as the Rue de Vergy, but clear cut and exciting. For the moment, a bit tough, but very fresh fruit. (JR)