Presentation
In early 1885, Jacques Lignier, then a team leader at an estate in the Côte de Nuits, acquired parcels of vineyard devastated by phylloxera. In the early 20th century, his son Jules joined him to replant and rebuild the vineyard holdings, ultimately passing them on to his three sons: Georges, Maurice, and Henri. Like his brothers, Henri developed his own estate, which reached 4.5 hectares by 1960. He preserved many fruit trees amidst his vines, and all work was done manually with only a horse to assist in the hard labor of the time. In 1959, Henri’s eldest son Hubert took over the family estate and gradually expanded it through new acquisitions and land consolidations with neighboring plots. His expertise in both viticulture and winemaking significantly enhanced the quality of the wines. In 1973, during a period of economic crisis, he made the bold move to start bottling at the estate. Hubert and Françoise had three children, and in 1992, their youngest son Romain joined the estate, which had grown to 7.5 hectares. Together with Hubert, Romain introduced widespread soil tilling. Known for his rigorous winemaking methods, Romain helped elevate the domaine’s reputation. Tragically, he passed away at the age of 34. In 2004, his brother Laurent stepped in to support their parents during this difficult time. Determined to honor the family legacy, Laurent chose to eliminate all synthetic products starting in 2007, leading the domaine to organic certification in 2019. Françoise, who had long supported Hubert in the vineyard and during harvest, passed away in 2018. Under Laurent’s leadership, the domaine moved into a new cellar in Morey-Saint-Denis in 2008, located at 13 Route Nationale. By 2020, the estate had expanded to 11 hectares. Thanks to Hubert’s savoir-faire and Laurent’s precise winemaking style, the wines have continued to evolve toward greater finesse and purity. Today, the family passion lives on with the gradual involvement of the next generation: Sébastien and Maëlle.
Location
East/southeast-facing parcel, located high on the slope near the Grand Crus of Chambolle-Musigny.
Terroir
Light clay-limestone soils, well-drained and rich in small stones, promoting aromatic finesse and elegance.
In the vineyard
Sustainable viticulture with meticulous manual work and controlled yields.
Harvest
Manual harvest with strict sorting at the parcel.
Winemaking
Partial destemming, long fermentation in vats with gentle punch-downs for a delicate extraction.
Ageing
Aged 15 to 18 months in French oak barrels, about 30% new depending on the vintage.
Varietal
Pinot Noir : 100%
Serving
15 to 17 °C
Ageing potential
10 to 15 years
Tasting
The "Les Chabiots" cuvée from Domaine Lignier stands out for its finesse and balance, emblematic of the finest Chambolle-Musigny Premier Crus. The robe is light ruby, bright and limpid, hinting at an airy delicacy. The nose is elegant and refined, revealing aromas of morello cherry, ripe raspberry, rose petals, and subtle touches of sweet spice and forest floor. On the palate, it offers a silky texture supported by fine acidity and delicate tannins. The long, saline finish reflects a wine of refined elegance and persistent length.
Food pairings
This Chambolle-Musigny Premier Cru is the perfect companion for refined, delicate cuisine. It beautifully enhances dishes such as free-range chicken with chanterelles, veal fillet with herb sauce, or wild mushroom risotto. It also pairs well with elegant vegetarian options like spring vegetable tart or asparagus gratin with parmesan. For cheese, opt for soft or bloomy-rind varieties such as aged Brie de Meaux or creamy Coulommiers.