Hubert Lignier

The story here has become complicated. Hubert Lignier put this domaine on the map with a series of impressive vintages made in a forthright, concentrated style with both oak and extraction evident but not abused. In due course his talented son Romain took over, fine-tuning production rather than making any significant stylistic changes. Then, tragically, Romain, recently married to an American girl, Kellen, and with two young children, developed a brain tumour from which he died.

Following this, Hubert decided to come out of retirement and has now re-established Domaine Hubert Lignier & Fils with his other son Laurent. He apparently has the right to some of the grapes farmed by Kellen and her team as sharecroppers, and to a proportion of the wines that she has made. Thus for the most part the Domaine Hubert Lignier wines have been grown and vinified by Domaine Lucie & Auguste Lignier, but bottled by Hubert and Laurent.

Jasper Morris MW, Burgundy Wine Director and author of the award-winning Inside Burgundy comprehensive handbook.