Caroline Morey, Chassagne Montrachet Rouge, Côte de Beaune, France, 2022

Overview of the Wine
Caroline Morey comes from a long line of vignerons based in the Cotes de Beaune and is also married to Pierre-Yves Colin-Morey. 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.

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. Older vines here, planted in the mid-60s, roughly. White varietals are planted in the middle, book-ended by this red.

Grape / Blend
Pinot Noir

Origin
Côte de Beaune, Burgundy, France

Tasting Notes
This wine is deeper red fruits, rose petals, supple acidity, and a chalk-like tannin that will evolve nicely for years to come.

91 Points - Jasper Morris
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.

Product size: 750ml