Lignier/Hubert Morey-St.-Denis 1er cru Vieilles Vignes 2023

95 points Charles Curtis, MW (Decanter): "This delicious wine is perennially among the most concentrated and nuanced in Lignier’s cellar—just don’t refer to it as ‘the blended premier cru’. He is at pains to point out that the rows start out in Faconnières and end up in Cheneverey, but that it is one single parcel. The wine boasts aromas of ripe plums with notes of violets, pepper, and a hint of dark chocolate. The texture is dense and rich but without any heaviness. The grapes are from 0.66 hectares of vines. The oldest were planted in 1936, and the youngest in 1962. Drinking Window: 2030-2060. (11/13/24)"

93-95 points Neal Martin (Vinous): "The 2023 Morey-Saint-Denis Vieilles Vignes 1er Cru comes from the usual three lieux-dits. It has an intense bouquet with cool but focused blackberry, briar and light flinty scents. The palate is medium-bodied and very well balanced, with finely sculpted tannins and seductive creaminess to the texture in the finish. Frequently one of Laurent Lignier's finest cuvées, this is just wonderful. Drink: 2026-2048. (Jan 2025)"

92-95 points Jasper Morris, MW (Inside Burgundy): "Mostly Faconnières. Rich dark crimson with the most fruit to date, fully ripe. The palate offers a balanced headiness, with a fruit dark enough to include some plums. This is the more hedonistic of the two but I think my preference comes down narrowly on the more cerebral Chaffots. (Dec 2024)"

91-94 points/'Sweet spot/Outstanding,' Allen Meadows (Burghound): "(a .65 ha blend of two lieux-dits with 50 to 100-year-old vines that is from two thirds Les Faconnières, and the remainder is from Les Chenevery). A restrained but beautifully layered nose grudgingly offers up its aromas of black cherry, crushed anise and newly turned earth. There is slightly better density to the overtly powerful and more obviously mineral-driven medium-bodied flavors that culminate in a firm, serious and compact finale. This too virtually always ages well and the 2023 version should be no exception. Drink: 2035+. (Jan 2025)"

93 points Christy Canterbury, MW (TimAtkin.com): "Laurent combines two parcels: Fauconnières (where the oldest vines were planted in 1947) and Chenevery (with the oldest plantation dating back to 1947). Restrained in aromas but focused and polished on the palate, this glows with juicy blue and black fruits highlighted with underbrush and crushed graphite. There is 30% new oak here, but it's very hard to find. (2025)"

Bill Nanson (Burgundy Report): "(Made by father since 1985 – a single parcel that straddles 2 parcels – Faconnières and little Chenevery too – planted between 1936 and 1952 – usually only about 20 hl/ha due to millerandes, but make massale selections here.) A deep red fruit – super pure. There’s a very modest reduction but here much extra depth – even a little structure. A more mineral vibration in the finish. Very grand cru style here – that’s a potentially great wine… (4/22/25)"