Clos de la Roche
Grand Cru 2023
This wine’s name alone makes one almost forget that it hails from one of the most famous Grand Cru villages: Morey-Saint-Denis.
Origin
Nestled between Gevrey-Chambertin and Chambolle-Musigny, Morey-Saint-Denis produces five Grands Crus.
Located at the north of the commune, Clos de la Roche takes its name from a boulder that the Celts used for their rituals. Lying adjacent to the Latricières-Chambertin vineyard, it produces Morey’s most robust wines. This vineyard is difficult to work, with such stony soil that was considered to be a “backbreaker” by the growers of yesteryear. This hard, brown limestone soil yields very firm wines that are well-suited to ageing.
Viticulture
Grape variety: pinot noir
Soils: very limestone, some scree and shallow earth.
Orientation: East
Surface area under vine: 0.09 ha
Pruning: Guyot system
Yield: 24 hL/ha
Average age of the vines: 55 years old.
Vinification
Harvest date: 11 September 2023.
The grapes were handpicked. They were sorted a first time in the vineyard and again on the sorting table when they arrived at the winery.
At the winery: the grapes were completely destemmed but not crushed (they were left whole) and were gravity-fed into tanks. Total maceration of 20 days including 2 days cold (12 C). Fermentation used indigenous yeasts only (no additives such as enzymes or tannins were used). 3 punchings of the cap.
Ageing
Maturation: aged on the lees for 17 months with no racking using a proportion of 100% new French oak barrels.
Barrels: French oak barrels that had been toasted at low temperatures for a long time to impart a very delicate touch of oak to the wine.
Bottling
Bottling: by gravity on March 13, 2025, wine fined with bentonite, very light lenticular filtration.
Number of bottles: 290.
Vintage
Fruity and generous
The 2023 vintage experienced unpredictable weather conditions, making work in the vineyards essential for grape quality. Harvesting began in early September under intense heat with the Chardonnays to avoid over-ripening, followed by the reds. The whites will spend two winters in the cellar, while the Pinot Noirs will have undergone short ageing to preserve the fruity aromas. A vintage that brings out the best in each terroir, offering wines that are bright and delicious.
Ageing potential: 10 years and more.
Awards
La Revue des Vins de France - mars 2025 - 96 points
Tim Atkin - Burgundy 2023 Special Report - 96 points
JancisRobinson.com -Negociants'2023 Burgundies - 18 / 20
Tasting notes
This wine, adorned with an elegant garnet hue, reveals an intense floral bouquet dominated by violet notes—hallmarks of this Grand Cru—enhanced by delicate powdery nuances. On the palate, it is rich and indulgent, balanced by a lovely freshness. Generous and refined, it stands out for its silky, lace-like tannins that lend impressive length to the finish.
