At a glance

Producer

Hubert Lignier

Region

Morey-Saint-Denis, Burgundy, France

Grape variety

Pinot Noir

Wine type

Red

Body

Medium-bodied and Earthy

Sweetness

Bone Dry

Typical price

$1,200 - $1,700 USD (per 750ml bottle, secondary market 2024)

Tasting profile

Red cherry, wild strawberry, truffle, earth, sous-bois, floral tones, dried roses, subtle spice, and minerality.

Evolution: The wine has moved from pure red fruit and structure toward complex tertiary flavors: forest floor, mushroom, spice, and integrated oak.

At peak: Fully harmonious and tertiary in profile, offering maximum complexity and classic Grand Cru Burgundy finesse.

Structure

Acidity

Fresh, lively, maintaining balance and vibrancy

Tannins

Medium to high, silky and integrated

Alcohol

13.0-13.5% ABV

Aging potential

Very high; can conservatively age well into the early-mid 2030s.

Drinking window

Peak drinking

2016 to 2033

Optimal window

2013 to 2036

Current status

Ready to drink

Current condition

Structured, complex, showing tertiary notes with depth and length.

2008 was a structured, acid-driven vintage in Burgundy, favoring long-aging Pinot Noir. Hubert Lignier's Clos de la Roche, from old-vine plots, is renowned for structure, concentration, and precision, aging with grace for 20–25+ years.

Food pairing

Wild duck, roasted squab, mushroom risotto, aged Comté, truffle dishes, beef Wellington.

Serving

Decant

Yes (30 minutes) — The wine has medium to high tannins and is 17 years old, which suggests it may benefit from aeration to enhance its silky texture and integrated flavors.

Sustainability

Sustainability score: 6/10

Minimal chemical interventions, manual harvesting, cover crops for soil health, minimal tractor use, gravity-flow cellar. No chemical fertilizers or herbicides; however, not officially organic/biodynamic. Packaging is traditional (glass, cardboard). Energy use not explicitly documented.

Hubert Lignier is recognized for traditional viticulture with a strong focus on vineyard health and sustainability-minded practices (e.g., reduced chemicals, manual labor), but lacks official environmental certifications. As with most Grand Cru Burgundies, the carbon footprint is moderately high due to heavy packaging and global demand. Local consumption or bulk shipping would reduce impact, but the prestige market means most bottles travel far. Overall, while sustainable in many best practices, this wine does not approach the highest levels of formal sustainability.