Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru rouge Clos Saint-Jean AOC 2024

Wine description for Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru rouge Clos Saint-Jean AOC 2024 by Thomas Morey

Colour & appearance

A transparent, muted ruby — crystal clear, without any heaviness, just as one would expect from a Pinot Noir of such finesse.

Nose

Fragrant and immediately captivating: wild strawberries, raspberries and cherries, accompanied by a hint of crumble, subtle wood and undergrowth. Above this floats a touch of smoke, rust and stone — a trace of wildness that lends the wine depth.

Palate

Structured, still with a certain firmness, yet already remarkably accessible. The ripe red fruit meets tannins that melt swiftly on the palate, leaving a gentle sweetness behind. Spicy notes, hints of saddle leather and violet blossoms complete the picture. A wine with an emerging charm — and plenty of room to grow.

Finish

Clean, with lingering fruit and a fine mineral trace that recalls the red soils of the climat.

Terroir & origin

The Clos Saint-Jean is among the oldest vineyards in Burgundy — planted as early as 589, originally owned by the convent of Saint-Jean le Grand in Autun. The climat encompasses several lieux-dits across roughly 14 hectares; the majority rests on red soil, which imparts its characteristic structure and spice to the Pinot Noir. Thomas Morey, a tenth-generation winemaker rooted in Chassagne-Montrachet since 1643, tends vines here that were planted in 2017.

Grape variety & vinification

Pinot Noir, largely destemmed, fermented with indigenous yeasts in neutral casks and tanks. Malolactic fermentation occurs naturally. The proportion of new wood is around 20% — restrained, in keeping with Morey’s style. Sulphur is added only during the final six months in cask, in minimal doses, so that the wine never exceeds a total of 35 mg/l.

Food recommendations

A wine for duck breast with cherry sauce, venison loin with juniper jus or a simple coq au vin. Also a delightful pairing with mature Époisses.

Special features

The fact that Domaine de la Romanée-Conti entrusts Thomas Morey with the care of its vines in Le Montrachet Grand Cru says everything about his skill in the vineyard. This Clos Saint-Jean reflects the same exacting standards: organic-certified since 2017, with minimal intervention and a proportion of new wood that allows the terroir to speak rather than masking it.