Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Morgeot Les Grands Clos

The life partnership of Laura Coffinet and Philippe Duvernay began like myriad other unions in Burgundy—two, generations-old winemaking families woven around a small, exceptional parcel of handed-down vines. Similar beginnings aside, Domaine Coffinet-Duvernay (est. 1989) have managed to stand apart from their neighbors in that their vineyard holdings reside in illustrious village of Chassagne, in the southern Côte de Beaune. Domaine Coffinet-Duvernay farms just seven vineyards in Chassagne, including the famed Grand Cru Bâtard-Montrachet. The estate encompasses seven hectares across the appellation in total, four of which are dedicated to its outstanding white wines, in particular Chassagne-Montrachet, and three hectares dedicated to red wines. This specialist estate produces beautifully crafted wines that capture the intense aromas and flavor of their distinguished terroir and which are capable of ageing for decades. Bastien, the couple’s son, has been working in the winery since 2012—the next generation to carry the torch for this unique property.

“Les Grands Clos” is a small sub-parcel of Morgeot 1er Cru situated in the south of the appellation and comprising less than one acre. It is split in three discernable terroirs with the lower part being of marn. The middle portion consists of a white calcareous vein while the top is made of complex mineral rocky soil. Their combination renders a powerful wine with finesse and mineral complexity typical of the appellation.

Hand-harvested and pressed in whole clusters. Fermentation is performed in French oak barrels with tight pores (30% are new) at between 59° and 64°C. Multiple stirring of the lees during fall and winter. Sur lie for about 17 months. The wine is aged in stainless steel tanks for two to three months. No filtration afterwards.

Following floral notes it is the minerality that dominates this wine. A powerful example of balance and finesse typical of the appellation.