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The village of Chassagne-Montrachet in the fog

Chassagne-Montrachet
Driving up from Lyon toward Beaune, the first stop on my trip to Burgundy was the town of Chassagne-Montrachet and a visit at Domaine Morey-Coffinet. Domaine Morey-Coffinet was one of the wineries featured in the excellent documentary: “A Year in Burgundy“. I had the opportunity to preview the movie when it was first released and by happy coincidence, I was able to make a social media connection with Thibault Morey.  I was looking forward to meeting Thibault in person.

In Burgundy, if you get lost, you need to ask for the winegrower by first and last name. 6 Moreys and 2 Coffinets in Chassagne-Montrachet!

Arriving early, I had an opportunity to walk around the town a bit beforehand, but there isn’t much to see, unless you have an appointment! (click on any photo for the slideshow, escape to return to the post).

Doorway in Chassagne-Montrachet

Burgundy is legendary, but you’ll be reminded it’s just farming.

Every home is a winery, too.

Just a little 1er Cru vineyard in town.

A few flowers still bringing color in November.

Clos St. Jean, another 1er Cru vineyard

Grapes not ripe at harvest are left for the birds, and there were tens of thousands of starlings in town that morning.

Climats (vineyards) in Chassagne-Montrachet. Map courtesy of http://www.bourgogne-wines.com

Domaine Morey-Coffinet
Through our connection on Facebook, Thibault Morey and I discovered common interests (beyond wine) in photography and downhill skiing/snowboarding. What a treat to meet in person! Arriving at the Domaine at the appointed time, we first toured the caves.

Domaine Morey-Coffinet

Thibault Morey – we meet in person

2015 whites in a room warmed to encourage malolactic fermentation.

Reds are in a cooler section of the caves, malolactic will happen in the spring.

We tasted the 2015’s (white and red) from the barrel

A full range of white and red burgundies from Chassagne-Montrachet and Puligney-Montrachet

We had a fun discussion about biodynamics and how the terroir really does show in the taste of the wines.

Thibaud took me through a variety of their 2015 whites and reds in barrel, then 2014’s from tank, just before bottling, then finishing up with 2013’s from bottle. Even as a non-expert, the differences between Puligny-Montrachet and Chassagne-Montrachet were clear, as well as a demonstration of how a wine progresses from initial fermentation to bottle.

Morey-Coffinet has been working for several years to fully implement a biodynamic approach in the vineyard. Thibault noted they are not operating to the phases of the moon in the cellar at this point, but they may move that direction in the future.

Best of all, Domaine Morey-Coffinet wines are available in Minnesota, so I can enjoy them freely  at home with the special understanding of the place where the grapes grow and the people who tend them.  Warm thanks to Thibault Morey for a memorable visit!

Grand Cru and affordable are two phrases you’ll never see together!

Grand Cru “Soil” in Batard-Montrachet