Thibault Liger-Belair : Richebourg Grand cru 2021

Tasting characteristics and advice for Thibault Liger-Belair’s Richebourg Grand Cru 2021

Tasting

Nose

The nose is spicy and floral, revealing notes of anise, Asian tea, violet, and lavender. Aromas of black cherry and blackcurrant add further depth to the aromatic palette.

Palate

The palate shows a medium body with a juicy red-fruit character and bright acidity. The intensity builds quietly, delivering on the finish the power and density characteristic of Richebourg. The slightly chalky texture reflects the influence of the limestone terroir. The finish impresses with its remarkable complexity and length. This very elegant wine requires extended aging to reach its peak.

Food and wine pairings

This Richebourg Grand Cru will pair beautifully with fine red meats, feathered game, or soft aged cheeses.

Serving and cellaring

This Richebourg Grand Cru 2021 can be enjoyed from around 2028 and through around 2065, reflecting an exceptional aging potential.

A Richebourg Grand Cru combining depth and aromatic richness

The estate

The Thibault Liger-Belair estate was founded in 2001, when Thibault Liger-Belair, then twenty-six years old, took over the family vineyards in Burgundy. Based in Nuits-Saint-Georges in the Côte de Nuits, the estate now spans around eight hectares of estate-owned vines, complemented by ten hectares under direct supervision. The family history dates back to 1720 with the creation of the C. Marey négociant house, but it was Thibault who truly reshaped the family winegrowing business. From the very first year, he converted all parcels to organic farming, obtaining Ecocert certification in 2005, and then adopted biodynamic practices starting in 2004. The estate stands out for its pragmatic, non-dogmatic approach, favoring observation of each parcel over the application of uniform protocols. In 2017, Thibault Liger-Belair inaugurated a new cellar built to outstanding environmental standards, integrating solar energy, geothermal power, and water recycling.

The vineyard

Richebourg is one of the greatest crus of Vosne-Romanée. The estate’s parcels cover 0.52 hectares of vines planted between 1931 and 1936, making them the oldest vineyard in the appellation. Located in the historic part of Richebourg, about fifty meters north of Romanée-Conti, these vines benefit from an extraordinarily complex terroir. The soil displays a sophisticated mix of clay and limestone in various forms and colors, with subtle variations in depth, drainage, and mineral composition across the parcel. This complexity makes Richebourg a demanding terroir, requiring a precise understanding of its specific characteristics and careful management of each micro-zone.

The vintage

The 2021 vintage in Burgundy proved extraordinarily difficult, shaped by multiple climatic challenges. Frosts from April 5 to 8 sent temperatures down to between -5°C and -6°C, wiping out many buds. The season was then affected by shatter, downy mildew, powdery mildew, and botrytis, testing growers’ skills throughout the growing cycle. These adverse conditions significantly reduced yields across the region. Only producers demonstrating precise vineyard management and sharp winemaking expertise succeeded in crafting wines of genuine quality in this particularly demanding context.

Vinification and aging

The grapes for the Richebourg Grand Cru 2021 were harvested by hand and then partially destemmed, allowing for the inclusion of 30% whole clusters. Fermentation took place over three weeks with very gentle extraction, favoring infusion over aggressive extraction. Aging lasted between 18 and 24 months in oak barrels, 60% of which were new. The wine remained unracked throughout the entire aging period, developing complexity in contact with the fine lees. True to the estate’s philosophy, this Richebourg was neither fined nor filtered before bottling.

Grape variety

Pinot noir (100%)