2012 Chassagne Montrachet Virondot

The 2012 Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru En Virondots has a refined, smoky bouquet with a nutty edge developing with aeration, although it does not quite have the intensity of the Les Vergers. The palate is much better with very fine acidity, a superb sense of harmony with a lifted vibrant, and quite rich finish that is very well-defined. This should turn out to be one of the Sabine Morey’s best wines in 2012. This was my first visit chez Domaine Marc Morey, located in the heart of the village of Chassagne. They are one of several Morey’s in the village that stem from Fernand Morey, who settled their in 1919 and opened a revered restaurant. He was joined by his son Marc in 1944; then by his own daughter Marie-Josephe and her husband Bernard Mollard in 1977. And finally the person who met me at their winery, their daughter Sabine. Like many in the village, the emphasis here is upon Chardonnay, which occupies just over seven of their nine hectares. They have adopted a lutte raisonnee approach to viticulture in recent years, with a ten-month elevage for their white usually employing around 30% new oak. Their underground cellar had recently been refitted with a rather chichi, grotto-like tasting room. Sabine has certainly stepped the wines up a level in recent vintages. These 2012s were generally commendable follow-ups to her impressive 2011s. Both village crus see 15% new oak. Importer: Robert Kacher Selections, Washington, DC; tel. (202) 832-9083

The 2012 Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru En Virondots has a refined, smoky bouquet with a nutty edge developing with aeration, although it does not quite have the intensity of the Les Vergers. The palate is much better with very fine acidity, a superb sense of harmony with a lifted vibrant, and quite rich finish that is very well-defined. This should turn out to be one of the Sabine Morey’s best wines in 2012. ||This was my first visit chez Domaine Marc Morey, located in the heart of the village of Chassagne. They are one of several Morey’s in the village that stem from Fernand Morey, who settled their in 1919 and opened a revered restaurant. He was joined by his son Marc in 1944; then by his own daughter Marie-Josephe and her husband Bernard Mollard in 1977. And finally the person who met me at their winery, their daughter Sabine. Like many in the village, the emphasis here is upon Chardonnay, which occupies just over seven of their nine hectares. They have adopted a lutte raisonnee approach to viticulture in recent years, with a ten-month elevage for their white usually employing around 30% new oak. Their underground cellar had recently been refitted with a rather chichi, grotto-like tasting room. Sabine has certainly stepped the wines up a level in recent vintages. These 2012s were generally commendable follow-ups to her impressive 2011s. Both village crus see 15% new oak. eRobertParker.com.December, 2013