Caroline Morey Chassagne Montrachet Rouge 2022

Caroline Morey Chassagne Montrachet Rouge 2022Product Information: Serious, yet so approachable already. Deeper and richer than the Santenay. Shows a very fresh and bright aspect with lifted aromatics, well defined cherry fruit backed by subtle vanilla oak. From vines located just below the village in Les Chenes Les Pierres and Les Chambres. Made with 35% whole bunch and bottled in November after 12 months ageing in barrel to capture the freshness. The Morey family name is one of the more

Product Information:

Serious, yet so approachable already. Deeper and richer than the Santenay. Shows a very fresh and bright aspect with lifted aromatics, well defined cherry fruit backed by subtle vanilla oak. 

From vines located just below the village in Les Chenes Les Pierres and Les Chambres. Made with 35% whole bunch and bottled in November after 12 months ageing in barrel to capture the freshness.

The Morey family name is one of the more infamous in Burgundy, with a long and expansive history. Caroline Morey is the daughter of the well-known Jean-Marc Morey, and started her own domaine after Jean-Marc's retirement in 2014. She is also married to Pierre-Yves Colin-Morey. Stylistically one major difference compared to PYCM is that she uses slightly less new oak, around 20-25% instead of 30-35%, not to mention half-a-dozen reds.

Maker:

Since Jean-Marc's retirement in 2014, Caroline has taken her share of some family vineyards from her father Jean-Marc and has created her own domaine based in Chassagne-Montrachet working out of brand new cellars built for Caroline and her husband Pierre-Yves.

For Caroline’s first vintage in 2014 she had small holdings in Chassagne-Montrachet for both red and white together with small holdings in Santenay and Hautes Cotes de Beaune totaling just 2.4 hectares. With more vineyards added both from family and from acquisitions in the last few years the total is now 7 hectares for Caroline. Her family holdings were roughly half for red wines and half for white wines, so Caroline has always been very comfortable vinifying red wines and is clearly adept with whites as well. For her own estate her holdings are about 35% Pinot Noir and 65% Chardonnay.

Philosophy:

Caroline’s approach in the cellar shows a similar light touch as her husband using mostly 350 litre barrels with no more than 30% new and with no battonage for the white wines. For the red wines she adapts to each site and each vintage with no ‘recipe’ as such save to say that Caroline favours a little whole bunch when possible but never more than 50% which she considers too much. Now settled into the new cellars and with 5 vintages released it is clear that Caroline has moved straight into the premier tier of producers in the Cote de Beaune as she has rapidly established her very small and very fine estate. With just a few barrels produced of most wines these will be difficult to come by. 

Beginning with hand harvests and natural yeast ferment of whole bunches for all whites and 25% to 40% whole bunches for red wines. Ageing mostly in 350 litre barrels with no lees stirring of up 14 months for red wines and up to 18 months for top whites. Very gentle pumping over and handling for red wines designed to maximise freshness and finesse. Long untreated corks for all wines and bottles sealed with wax.

Nose - Peppery Nose, Plum, Anise
The bouquet is super-fine for a Chassagne, a peppery nose combines notes of plum, red and dark cherry, earth and crushed anise.

Palate - Red/Dark Cherry, Vanilla, Powdery Tannins
The rich, round and seductively textured medium-bodied flavours possess solid density.

Finish - Juicy Freshness, Spice, Mineral Zing
Very fine, discreet powdery tannins. Juicy freshness to the acidity on the finish

Old vines in cordon training in Les Chênes, Chambres and Les Pierres across the main road. No great depth of colour here but the bouquet is super-fine for a Chassagne, still with good grip behind. A little more insular personality than the Santenay, possibly less fine, but I like its character. Drink from 2026-2031. - Jasper Morris M.W., Inside Burgundy, 89-91 Points.

From Les Chênes and Les Chambres. A peppery nose combines notes of plum, red and dark cherry, earth and crushed anise. The rich, round and seductively textured medium-bodied flavours possess solid density. - Burghound

The Finer Details
Style - Red Wine
Varietal - Pinot Noir
Country - France
Region - Burgundy
Vintage - 2022
Bottle Size - 750ml
ABV - 13%