Domaine Lignier-Michelot 2016 Nuits Saint George "Les Murgers" 1er Cru 750ml

(these 50-year-old vines were harvested on the early side in 2016; 37 hectoliters per hectare produced; vinified with 60% whole clusters): Healthy bright red. Very black on the nose and totally different from the Morey-Saint-Denis Les Chenevery that preceded it in my tasting, offering scents of cassis, black cherry and licorice. Then juicy and penetrating in the mouth, with its impression of lively acidity accentuated by a firm tannic spine. Blueberry and spice flavors carry through to a crunchy, somewhat brooding finish, with the tannins building with air but avoiding austerity. There was a good bit of fruit in '16 from the second set of buds and Lignier noted that he didn't use any overripe grapes. The pH here is a very healthy 3.4 for a wine with 13.5% alcohol.

Score: 90+ points -- Stephen Tanzer, Vinous, Jan 2018