Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru rouge Clos Saint-Jean AOC 2023

Wine description for Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru rouge Clos Saint-Jean AOC 2023 by Thomas Morey

Colour & appearance

Fairly transparent, vibrant ruby — a Pinot Noir of classic Burgundian translucency, very much in line with the estate’s more recent, refined style.

Nose

Youthfully fragrant and inviting: red berries and cherries take centre stage, backed by hints of undergrowth, fine oak and a touch of cinnamon. Attractive, unpretentious, lively.

Palate

Fresh, cheerful, aromatically vibrant. The tannins still coat the palate somewhat at present, slowing the drinking flow — the structure is still seeking its balance. What does convince, however, is the juicy red cherry fruit that carries the wine. Patience will be rewarded: the potential is clearly evident.

Finish

Juicy, with pleasant red cherry fruit and a still youthful tannic presence. A finale that suggests a few years of bottle ageing would be beneficial.

Terroir & origin

Clos Saint-Jean is one of Chassagne’s most historically significant vineyard sites: the original walled clos was planted as early as 589 and belonged to the convent of Saint-Jean le Grand in Autun. The vineyard’s red soil makes it ideally suited to Pinot Noir — a reminder that Chassagne-Montrachet was historically a red wine village. Thomas Morey’s parcel currently comes mainly from vines planted in 2017.

Grape variety & vinification

Pinot Noir from largely destemmed grapes. Fermentation takes place with indigenous yeasts using a combination of neutral casks and tanks; malolactic fermentation occurs naturally. The new oak proportion of around 20 per cent is deliberately restrained. Sulphur is only added during the final six months in cask, in several minimal doses — the wine never exceeds a total of 35 mg/l.

Food recommendations

A fresh, fruit-driven Burgundy for everyday enjoyment with a touch of refinement: with duck breast with cherries, roast beef with onions, mushroom pan with dumplings or Jura and Comté cheeses. Given the still pronounced tannins, opt for dishes with a little fat and substance.

Special features

A red wine from a village celebrated almost exclusively for its whites — from a vineyard site with nearly 1,500 years of viticultural history. Add to that the personal touch of a winemaker entrusted by Domaine de la Romanée-Conti with their vines in Le Montrachet: Thomas Morey, certified organic since 2017, stands for a lean, finely structured style far removed from his father’s opulence. A young wine with edges, angles — and a future.