MOREY SAINT DENIS

Localization : Côte de Nuits
Total vineyard area : 149.4 ha. of which 44 ha. Premier Cru and 41.40 ha. Grand Cru
Area in production : 129,4 ha
Cépage et types de vin : almost exclusively Pinot producing red wines (only 3.5 ha. are planted with Chardonnay)
Classification : Villages, Premier Cru and Grand Cru

"Climats" classed as Premier Cru :

"Climats" classed as Grand Cru :

Clos Saint Denis : dating from the 11th century, cited for the first time in 1367. Covers 6.62 hectares (of which 6.2 are in production) on chalky clay with a mixture of ferrous oxide and has the distinction of containing marl like that of the Clos de Tart. The vineyards are scattered about (37 plots belonging to about 15 proprietors) and produce wines for laying down ; complex, rich, structured with great finesse.

Clos de la Roche : is situated in the north of the Morey Saint Denis area, bounded by Latricières Chambertin Grand Cru to the north and Clos Saint Denis to the south and is favoured by a microclimate being low down on the hillside. Classed as a " Première Cuvée " as long ago as 1885 by Docteur Lavalle (Histoire et Statistiques de la vigne et des grands vins de la Côte d'Or, 1855) it takes its name from the ground which is extremely rich in chalk, producing very fragrant wines, characterized by notes of cherry and morellos evolving with age to hints of truffle. It is one of the very robust, concentrated Grands Crus of Burgundy.

Clos des Lambrays : Grand Cru since 1981, covering an area of 8.20 ha.. The architecture dates from just after the French Revolution in 1789 when, after the sale of national properties, the 74 holdings were grouped together in one enclosure. The land is marl higher up and clay with chalk lower down, giving birth to wines renowned for their aromas of spice and morello cherries.

Clos de Tart : noted for the first time in 1141 in a sale by the Cistercian monastery of Notre Dame de Tart, near Genlis, this vineyard forms part of one of the oldest territories of Morey Saint Denis. Classed Grand Cru in 1939, two years after the Clos de la Roche and the Clos Saint Denis, the vineyard covers 7.5 ha. Powerful with great length, it was classed in 1855 by Lavalle as "tête de cuvee" (Histoire et Statistiques de la vigne et des grands vins de la Côte d'Or, 1855).

Morey Saint Denis produces wines which resemble both Chambolle Musigny and Gevrey Chambertin, its two neighbours. They have the mellowness and finesse of Chambolle and the structure and strength of Gevrey. They are wines of great complexity, very aromatic, with notes of red and blackberries, coupled with hints of oak and spice or even a slight animal touch.

The first mention of this Village goes back to 1120. At that time, it was an asylum to the monks of the Abbey of Cîteaux and anyone entering was threatened with excommunication. Until the French Revolution in 1789, the best vineyards belonged to the religious community. Then, in 1791, they were confiscated and sold as national property, along with all the other religious belongings. It was not until 1927 that " Saint Denis " was added to the name of Morey, even if, at the time, this received vehement protests from the anticlerical side. The ground is chalky containing phosphorus and pebbles at the bottom of the slope, and higher up either clay marl, rock or sand.

Photographic credit : Dominique Pernin