Thibault Liger-Belair : Champ de Cour 2021

Tasting notes and advice for Thibault Liger-Belair’s Champ de Cour 2021

Tasting

Color

A deep ruby hue emerges, enhanced by mauve highlights at the rim.

Nose

Still closed in its youth, the nose gradually opens with aeration to reveal aromas of cherry, red plum, and blackberry. Fresh notes of licorice and peppermint complete this elegant bouquet, while a subtle mineral edge appears in the background.

Palate

The attack reveals a luscious, juicy texture with straightforward fruit flavors. The wine then gains lovely breadth on a structure with peppery tannins. The finish stands out for notes of paprika and licorice, with a length that signals excellent aging potential.

Food and wine pairings

This Champ de Cour 2021 is an ideal match for flavorful roasted meats such as pigeon, quail, or feathered game. It also pairs perfectly with a daube beaujolaise, reduced sauce-based meat dishes, as well as aged cheeses such as Saint-Marcellin, Saint-Félicien, or Langres.

Serving and cellaring

Champ de Cour 2021 is best enjoyed at a temperature between 14 and 18°C (57–64°F). This wine can be enjoyed through at least 2033.

An elegant, structured Moulin-à-Vent from Domaine Thibault Liger-Belair

The estate

Founded in 2001 by Thibault Liger-Belair, the estate continues a family winegrowing heritage dating back to 1720. Based in Nuits-Saint-Georges in Burgundy, Thibault Liger-Belair now farms around 28 hectares spread between the Côte de Nuits and Beaujolais. Fully converted to biodynamics as early as 2004 and certified Biodyvin, the estate stands out for its technical innovations, notably the use of vats based on the golden ratio and horse-plowing. Ranked the 22nd best winemaker in France in 2021, Thibault Liger-Belair embodies a respectful and forward-thinking approach to viticulture.

The vineyard

Champ de Cour comes from a plot located at the heart of the Moulin-à-Vent appellation, in the north of Beaujolais. Planted between 220 and 250 meters above sea level, the vineyard sits on pink granite and quartz soils. The vines, around 30 to 35 years old, benefit from deep rooting that allows an optimal expression of the terroir. Farmed biodynamically, the vineyard is managed with deliberately limited yields to favor concentration and quality.

The vintage

The 2021 vintage proved particularly challenging for French vineyards. A destructive spring frost reduced yields, followed by a period of high humidity during ripening. Despite these complex climatic conditions, the slow, late maturation made it possible to obtain concentrated grapes with the freshness and classic elegance characteristic of Beaujolais.

Winemaking and aging

The grapes for Champ de Cour 2021 are hand-harvested with rigorous triple sorting. Fermentation is carried out with daily pump-overs and careful punch-downs. Aging takes place over 18 months, split between 60% in stainless-steel tanks and 40% in French oak barrels, allowing for gradual maturation while preserving the fruit’s freshness.

Grape variety

Gamay