Caroline Morey is one of the producers in Chassagne Montrachet to look out for today. Caroline is the wife of Pierre Yves Colin Morey, one of the most renowned winemakers in Chassagne Montrachet. The husband and wife duo shares a sleek-looking estate in Chassagne Montrachet that was built recently. For readers who have tasted PYCM wines would probably know that his style of wine is unique and is very consistent across his range, from Bourgogne to the rare Grand Cru Montrachets. Caroline Morey wines are produced the exact same way as Pierre Yves’, subsequently the standards are very high and quality is just as wonderful as PYCM wines.
Caroline Morey started producing wines in the 2014 vintage when she inherited some vineyards from her father, Jean Marc Morey. All her wines are made under the name ‘Domaine Caroline Morey’ and are 100% from her own vineyards unlike PYCM’s operation, in that both purchased grapes and own vineyards are labelled as ‘Pierre Yves Colin Morey’.
Vineyard Holdings
Caroline Morey owns 7 hectares of vineyards, 60% Chardonnay vines and 40% Pinot Noir vines.
White:
Santanay Cornieres
Beaune 1er Cru Greves
Chassagne Montrachet
Chassagne Montrachet 1er Cru Champs-Gains
Chassagne Montrachet 1er Cru Chaumees
Chassagne Montrachet 1er Cru Vergers
Chassagne Montrachet 1er Cru Caillerets
Criots Batard Montrachet Grand Cru
Red:
Santanay Cornieres
Santanay 1er Cru Comme
Chassagne Montrachet
Chassagne Montrachet 1er Cru Champs-Gains
Beaune 1er Cru Greves
Winemaking Style
Caroline is very happy with Pierre Yves’ white wine style and she follows the same winemaking method, mostly 350L barrels, extensive ageing on lees without any batonnage, same wax but different colour. The only difference is Caroline uses slightly lower percentage of new oak. In certain vintages, I couldn’t tell any differences between Caroline’s and Pierre Yves’ wines side by side! Like PYCM’s wines, her wines are precise and are very consistent across the range.
Tasting Notes
Chassagne Montrachet Blanc 2017
From a blend of 3 village vineyards around Chassagne Montrachet, total 1.5ha. 350L barrels, of which 30% are new oak (low toast) in the village wine. Bright reduction, creamy toasted wood frame with lovely roundness and juicy citrus and tree fruits. Pretty with refreshing acidity that should be very approachable in the very near future. (86/100)
Chassagne Montrachet 1er Cru Chaumees 2017
The Chaumees comes from an average of 60 year old vines on limestone rich soil. 40% new oak. The 2017 Chaumees offers a bright array of vibrant tree fruits, ripe limes, pear and dusty minerals. A step above the village. (89/100)
Chassagne Montrachet 1er Cru Les Caillerets
Caroline started producing Chassagne Montrachet Les Caillerets from 2014 after inheriting a 0.35ha plot in the North-West side of Les Caillerets with an average age of 45 year old.
Chassagne Montrachet 1er Cru Les Caillerets 2014
An intense nose of bright citrus fruits, pear and iris. Assertive reductive struck match aromas that resembles top producers like Arnoud Ente, giving it a sense of sophistication and brings out the freshness of Chassagne. Made in same way as PYCM’s wines but with a tiny bit less new oak. Full-bodied with close to Grand Cru tightness and intensity. Bright fruits and buttery toast finish. Excellent minerality. Drink from 2028 onwards. (93/100)
Chassagne Montrachet 1er Cru Les Caillerets 2015
The 2015 Les Caillerets offers generous orchard fruits with a lovely citrus backbone, less intense than PYCM’s Caillerets ’15 (PYCM generally outperforms in hot vintages like ’09, ‘15). Lots of brightness and firm reduction, Good fruit intensity for it to age for a couple of decades or longer. Rich and ripe lemons well integrated with buttery lees and expansive minerals of Caillerets. Lovely mid-palate intensity and fruits. (91+/100)
Chassagne Montrachet 1er Cru Les Caillerets 2016
The 2016 Caroline Morey Les Caillerets is restrained and could benefit from a few more years of cellar ageing. Ripe tree fruits of pear, lemons and quince. Generous leesy flavours like PYCM wines. Broad shoulders with elegant white flowers and stoney minerals. Mid-palate spices with an admirable concentration and dynamic. This wine needs proper cellaring. (91/100)
Chassagne Montrachet 1er Cru Les Caillerets 2017
The 2017 Les Caillerets is brilliantly intense and potent, smoked minerals, densely packed orchard fruits with supple toasted spices. Refined white peach with crushed stones and salinity. Medium plus bodied with impressive power and texture. The 2017 whites offer juicy fruits and vibrant acidity, and this Caillerets is no exception. A brilliant wine that is likely to be as good as 2014. (92-93/100)
Criots Batard Montrachet Grand Cru 2017
Caroline owns 0.13ha of Criots Batard Montrachet, above d’Avuenay and Hubert Lamy’s vines. 2.5 barrels produced in 2017. Full-on tropical fruits and powerful yellow fruits, zingy and floral with delicate touch of white flowers. A step up from the Caillerets, showing a full bodied with densely packed fruits and rich leesy flavor. A serious wine with plenty of substance. (94-95/100)
Rouge
Chassagne Montrachet Rouge 2017
The 2017 Chassagne Montrachet Rouge is a blend of 3 plots from Chassagne Montrachet village. Pretty with juicy raspberry and strawberry. 35% whole cluster. Not concentrated and light-footed, 4 times punch down, gentle extraction. Good freshness with crunchy red fruits. (83-84/100)
Beaune 1er Cru Greves 2017
Caroline inherited the Beaune Greves (both Pinot Noir and Chardonnay vines) in 2017, a great addition to her portfolio. This is one of the most pleasant and floral Beaune Greves I have tasted. Lifted strawberry, crunchy red cherry with earthy soil. Lovely body that is more village weight than Premier Cru (light extraction style of Caroline Morey plus the lighter shade of 2017 Pinot Noir characteristics). Very drinkable and delicate. (86/100)
