Thibault Liger-Belair : Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er cru "Les Saint-Georges" 2021

Characteristics and Tasting Tips for the Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru "Les Saint-Georges" 2021 by Thibault Liger-Belair

Tasting

Color

The wine displays a deep ruby-red color with garnet highlights.

Nose

The nose opens on a powerful, complex bouquet, releasing aromas of vibrant red fruits such as cherry, raspberry and redcurrant. These fruity notes intertwine harmoniously with spicy nuances of white pepper, violet and bay leaf, complemented by a subtle minerality that brings depth to the aromatic profile.

Palate

On the palate, this premier cru reveals a solid structure framed by refined elegance. The tannins are both firm and silky, the result of delicate extraction during vinification. The palate shows fine precision, with red and black fruit flavors that evolve toward deeper spicy notes. The finish stands out for its remarkable persistence, marked by a saline minerality that brings freshness and length to the tasting.

Food and wine pairings

This Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru "Les Saint-Georges" 2021 is an ideal match for tournedos Rossini, veal sauté or feathered game dishes such as roast duck. It also pairs perfectly with aged washed-rind cheeses such as Époisses or Langres.

Serving and cellaring

The Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru "Les Saint-Georges" 2021 is best enjoyed at a serving temperature between 15 and 16°C. This wine has an aging potential of 5 to 15 years, with an optimal maturation window of around 7 to 10 years.

An elegant, well-balanced Nuits-Saint-Georges premier cru

The estate

Founded in 2001 by Thibault Liger-Belair, Domaine Thibault Liger-Belair is part of a family winemaking lineage dating back to 1720. Located in Nuits-Saint-Georges in Burgundy, the estate farms around 9 hectares of vines across several prestigious appellations. Trained in viticulture and oenology, Thibault Liger-Belair now leads the property with a philosophy rooted in humble observation and attentive listening to the vineyard’s needs. Certified organic by ECOCERT since 2005 and practicing biodynamics since 2004 with Biodyvin certification, the estate stands out for its early commitment to these respectful growing methods.

The vineyard

The Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru "Les Saint-Georges" comes from around 2.05 hectares within the Climat Les Saint-Georges, one of the oldest in the appellation, with evidence of plantings dating back to the year 1000. The vines, planted in 1944, are located in the southern part of the Nuits-Saint-Georges appellation, on deep brown limestone soils particularly rich in gravel. This composition gives the wines structure and aging potential. The vineyard benefits from a favorable exposure and rests on a geological substratum made up of Middle Jurassic marl-limestone formations. Vineyard management favors mechanical soil work, notably using horse-drawn plowing since 2002 to preserve microbial life. Harvesting is exclusively by hand, with rigorous grape selection.

The vintage

The 2021 vintage proved particularly challenging in Burgundy. After early budbreak, a severe frost in April caused significant damage to young shoots. June hail locally affected certain plots, followed by unstable weather throughout the growing season. These difficult conditions required meticulous vineyard attention and strict sorting both in the vines and at the winery. Fortunately, September conditions were favorable, allowing a harvest at optimal ripeness and the production of balanced grapes with strong aromatic potential and preserved acidity.

Vinification and aging

The Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru "Les Saint-Georges" 2021 was harvested by hand, with around 30% whole clusters retained. Fermentation took place over three weeks with particularly gentle extractions to preserve tannin finesse and aromatic expression. The wine was then aged for 22 months in French oak barrels, 50% of which were new, allowing harmonious integration of oaky notes while respecting the wine’s fruity character and delicacy.

Grape variety

100% Pinot Noir