Caroline Morey Santenay La Comme 1er Cru Rouge 2022

Product Information: This wine exemplifies Caroline’s lighter style, the 2022 fruit adds a degree of intensity without changing the basis of her style. Very persistent and layered despite the delicate frame of the wine. Seductive strawberry aromas and fine and silky on the palate that is irresistible even now. Santenay lies at the southern extremity of the Côte de Beaune. The particular climat ‘La Comme’ adjoins Chassagne Montrachet 1er cru Embazees and seems to borrow some of its style and elegance. Made with about 35% whole bunch (layered at the bottom of the ferment). The Morey family name is one of the more infamous in Burgundy, with a long and expansive history. Caroline Morey is the daughter of the well-known Jean-Marc Morey, and started her own domaine after Jean-Marc’s retirement in 2014. She is also married to Pierre-Yves Colin-Morey. Stylistically one major difference compared to PYCM is that she uses slightly less new oak, around 20-25% instead of 30-35%, not to mention half-a-dozen reds. Maker: Since Jean-Marc’s retirement in 2014, Caroline has taken her share of some family vineyards from her father Jean-Marc and has created her own domaine based in Chassagne-Montrachet working out of brand new cellars built for Caroline and her husband Pierre-Yves. For Caroline’s first vintage in 2014 she had small holdings in Chassagne-Montrachet for both red and white together with small holdings in Santenay and Hautes Cotes de Beaune totalling just 2.4 hectares. With more vineyards added both from family and from acquisitions in the last few years the total is now 7 hectares for Caroline. Her family holdings were roughly half for red wines and half for white wines, so Caroline has always been very comfortable vinifying red wines and is clearly adept with whites as well. For her own estate her holdings are about 35% Pinot Noir and 65% Chardonnay. Philosophy: Caroline’s approach in the cellar shows a similar light touch as her husband using mostly 350 litre barrels with no more than 30% new and with no battonage for the white wines. For the red wines she adapts to each site and each vintage with no ‘recipe’ as such save to say that Caroline favours a little whole bunch when possible but never more than 50% which she considers too much. Now settled into the new cellars and with 5 vintages released it is clear that Caroline has moved straight into the premier tier of producers in the Cote de Beaune as she has rapidly established her very small and very fine estate. With just a few barrels produced of most wines these will be difficult to come by. Beginning with hand harvests and natural yeast ferment of whole bunches for all whites and 25% to 40% whole bunches for red wines. Ageing mostly in 350 litre barrels with no lees stirring of up 14 months for red wines and up to 18 months for top whites. Very gentle pumping over and handling for red wines designed to maximise freshness and finesse. Long untreated corks for all wines and bottles sealed with wax. Nose – Red/Dark Currants, Dainty Florals, Stone Dust Fragrant with raspberry fruit, very inviting. Attractive stone-dust impression alongside the fruit. Palate – Raspberry, Minerally Fruit, Fine Spice Interest Pure minerally dark fruit, peppery and inviting. Finish – Persistent, Savoury, Filigree Texture Succulent, round and relatively generous. Finishes long and finessed. A pale ruby purple. The bouquet is very elegant. Caroline always liked to make a lighter style of Burgundy, yet the intensity of fruit in 2022 adds a degree of intensity without changing the basis of her style. Very persistent given the finesse of this wine. Just racked too, so chapeau. – Jasper Morris, 90-92 points. A slightly more deeply pitched nose reflects notes of both red and dark currant along with more evident floral elements. The succulent, round and relatively generous medium weight flavors deliver better length though here too more depth would be a plus. – Burghound. The Finer Details Style – Red Wine Varietal – Pinot Noir Country – France Region – Burgundy Vintage – 2022 Bottle Size – 750ml ABV – 13%