Thibault Liger-Belair : Vieilles Vignes 2020

Tasting Notes and Serving Suggestions for Thibault Liger-Belair’s “Vieilles Vignes” 2020

Tasting

Appearance

The wine displays a brilliant ruby hue.

Nose

The bouquet reveals aromas of raspberry coulis and blueberry, accompanied by notes of violet and delicate spices.

Palate

On the palate, this wine shows a medium body with ripe red fruit, notably cherry, intertwined with notes of orange peel. The fine tannins provide an elegant structure, while a surprising mineral freshness, inherited from the granite soils, carries through the tasting. The spicy finish pleasantly extends the experience.

Food and Wine Pairing

This Moulin-à-Vent pairs beautifully with fish baked in parchment, poultry with a cream and mushroom sauce, as well as a platter of assorted cheeses.

Serving and Cellaring

The Moulin-à-Vent “Vieilles Vignes” 2020 is best enjoyed at a temperature between 16 and 18°C. Decanting may be considered to fully release its aromas.

A Structured, Complex Moulin-à-Vent from Century-Old Vines in Beaujolais

The estate

Thibault Liger-Belair took over the family estate in 2001, inheriting a vineyard with depleted soils that he restored through organic, then biodynamic, farming. A visionary, he expanded into Beaujolais as early as 2008 by creating Domaine des Pierres Roses in Moulin-à-Vent. Today, he manages around 7 hectares in Nuits-Saint-Georges and 12 hectares in Moulin-à-Vent. In 2017, he inaugurated a revolutionary winery in Nuits-Saint-Georges, designed according to forward-thinking environmental principles. Beyond his own wines, Thibault Liger-Belair is committed to passing on knowledge by creating Domaine des Jeunes Pousses, a mentorship program aimed at young winegrowers.

The vineyard

The Moulin-à-Vent “Vieilles Vignes” comes from a blend of nine parcels totaling around seven hectares, planted between 1910 and 1955. These very old vines, some of them over a century old, are rooted in shallow soils composed of white and pink sands from the decomposition of pink granite and quartz. This distinctive mineral makeup gives the wine its characteristic freshness and mineral drive. The parcels are located on the northern slope of the Moulin-à-Vent hill, benefiting from the influence of cold winds that preserve the grapes’ freshness.

The vintage

The year 2020 offered particularly favorable climatic conditions in Beaujolais. After a mild winter, spring allowed for an early start to the growing season. The hot, dry summer encouraged optimal grape concentration, producing berries of exceptional ripeness and remarkable balance. The harvest took place on August 27, capturing the grapes at ideal phenolic ripeness. This sunny, generous vintage gave rise to concentrated wines while preserving lovely freshness.

Winemaking and aging

The Moulin-à-Vent “Vieilles Vignes” 2020 was harvested by hand. The winemaking included 40% whole clusters, bringing structure and aromatic complexity. Fermentation took place over three weeks in open-top vats, using gentle extraction techniques to preserve fine tannins. Aging continued for fifteen months in oak barrels, 20% of which were new, with the remainder being previously used barrels. This measured proportion of new oak allows subtle integration of oaky notes without masking the expression of the terroir.

Grape variety

Gamay (100%)