Thibault Liger-Belair : Corton Grand cru "Les Renardes" 2022

Characteristics and Tasting Notes for the Corton Grand Cru "Les Renardes" 2022 Thibault Liger-Belair

Tasting

Colour
Displaying a magnificent ruby red hue, the colour leans more toward deep purple than crimson glints.

Nose
The aromatic bouquet opens with lovely intensity, releasing scents of red and black fruits such as blackcurrant and blueberry. The whole is delicately underscored by notes of sweet spices and a subtle touch brought by whole-cluster winemaking.

Palate
Endowed with remarkable density, the palate stands out for its freshness and great finesse. The perceptible presence of whole clusters lends a distinguished texture, supported by silky, delicate tannins. The particularly sensual finish extends over an exceptional length.

Food and Wine Pairing

This great red wine pairs wonderfully with full-flavoured, characterful meats, such as a fine rib of beef or duck breast. It will also elevate a platter of soft-rind cheeses, particularly well-aged blue cheeses.

Service and Storage

Built to stand the test of time, this Corton Grand Cru "Les Renardes" 2022 needs a few years of ageing to reveal its full potential. It can be enjoyed with great pleasure until around 2030.

The Elegance and Depth of a Great Red Burgundy

The Estate

Heir to a long family line involved in the wine trade since 1720, Thibault Liger-Belair founded the eponymous estate in 2001. Located in Burgundy, the estate now spans around eighteen hectares spread across the Côte de Nuits, the Côte de Beaune and Beaujolais. As the current owner and winemaker, Thibault Liger-Belair instils a philosophy deeply respectful of terroir. Certified organic and applying the principles of biodynamics, the estate stands out for its tailored approach, from attentive listening to the vines to the meticulous selection of ageing wood, giving rise to wines of great authenticity.

The Vineyard

Nestled in the commune of Aloxe-Corton, the climat of Les Renardes lies midway up a gentle east-facing slope, offering ideal sun exposure. This small plot of around 0.19 hectares stands out for its brown, stony, clay-limestone soil, marked by a geological fault that adds to its complexity. The vines, around forty years old and pruned using the Guyot method, draw deeply from this terroir to express all the richness and minerality characteristic of this Corton grand cru.

The Vintage

The year 2022 was marked by warm, dry conditions, resulting in a vintage described as both abundant and excellent. Despite the summer drought, the vines managed to find a perfect balance, yielding grapes in impeccable health. Harvesting began early, at the end of August, allowing sun-drenched berries to be picked, endowed with lovely natural freshness and perfectly ripe tannins.

Winemaking and Aging

After manual harvesting and a rigorous double sorting, the grapes for the Corton Grand Cru "Les Renardes" 2022 are gravity-fed into the vats. The winemaking favours infusion, incorporating 40% whole clusters and relying exclusively on indigenous yeasts. A gentle 22-day maceration, including a cold phase, precedes 10 months of ageing on the lees. The wine rests in oak barrels (40% new) with a very light toast, before being gently gravity-filtered at bottling.

Grape Variety

100% Pinot Noir