2010 Domaine Thibault Liger-Belair Aloxe-Corton La Toppe au Vert 1er Cru

The 2010 Aloxe-Corton La Toppe au Vert has captured the essence of this limestone rich site. Red berries and freshly cut flowers are some of the nuances that take shape in the glass, but above all else, the Aloxe is really a wine built on structure, length and minerality. Liger-Belair makes this wine from purchased fruit. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2022. I was deeply impressed with the wines I tasted with Thibault Liger-Belair. Thibault’s core holdings are the remaining vestiges of his family’s portion of the original Liger-Belair estate that was sold in the early 1930s. In recent years, Liger-Belair has added a few negociant wines to augment his range. Thibault Liger-Belair is the largest owner of the Nuits St. Georges 1er Cru Les St. Georges and the leading proponent of the movement to have the vineyard classified as a Grand Cru. Liger-Belair’s decision to taste his Les St. Georges in between the Clos de Vougeot and Richebourg makes an eloquent case. In fact, words are pretty much superfluous at that point. I will report on Liger-Belair’s 2009s in the April issue. Importer: Vineyard Brands, Birmingham, AL; tel. (205) 980-8802

Mid ruby. Quite evolved and very flattering – far from tough! Lively fruit. Very transparent and fresh on the palate in fact. Really racy and interesting. (JR)

Medium red. Reduced aromas of plum, smoke, game and earth. Juicy, focused and a bit youthfully strict; much less pliant than the Croix des Champs. This rather backward wine finishes saline and classically dry, with firm tannins and a minty nuance.