2007 Gevrey-Chambertin

Due in part to the strong natural acidity in the grapes in 2008, the yeasts worked less efficiently and the result was wines with lower levels of alcohol, said Hubert Lignier. Following late malos, he planned to bottle the wines in April and May, or a bit later than in recent practice. Like a few of his colleagues, he compared the young 2008s to the 1998s, but I suspect that the newer crop of wines will require longer aging. Lignier's 2007s have turned out very well, and a number of them may surprise with their longevity. All of the 2007s noted below are domain bottlings vinified by Lignier and son Laurent unless otherwise noted.

Hubert Lignier, who has have built a new vinification facility following the division of vineyards with Hubert's estranged daughter-in-law Kellen, picked his estate vines on the late side, between September 5 and 12, with potential alcohols in the healthy 12.5% to 13% range. Hubert, joined in the venture by his son Laurent, describes the 2007s as "fruity wines but with only moderate structure." After temporarily losing control over most of his property in the 2006 growing season (Kellen's team farmed the vines, and Kellen vinified most of the wines), Lignier worked his share of the estate parcels from which he made the 2007s reviewed below. As I noted last year, his new company allows Lignier to supplement his production with a small negociant business.