Beaune 1er Cru rouge Beaune-Grèves AOC 2024

The Beaune 1er Cru Beaune-Grèves 2024 is a Pinot Noir from the Les Grèves climat at the heart of Beaune, silky in texture and clearly drawn. It feels sensuous yet taut, with enough density and depth behind its open drinkability. Uncomplicated on approach, demanding if you follow it further.

At 31.33 hectares, Les Grèves is the largest climat in Beaune, and its wines are considered the richest, most structured and longest-lived of the appellation. The Morey family has owned their plot here since 1969. The rows of vines stretch 450 metres up the slope, with the soil shifting from more sandy to more gravel-dominated.

Pinot Noir from a sélection massale, planted partly in 1976 and partly in 1988. The largely de-stemmed grapes ferment with indigenous yeasts in a combination of neutral barrel and tank, with malolactic fermentation occurring naturally. The proportion of new oak is around 20%. Sulphur is added only during the last six months in barrel, in several minimal doses, so the wine never exceeds 35 mg/l. It is neither fined nor filtered.

On the nose, ripe raspberries with very fine wood and a touch of vanilla, followed after a moment by sweet cherries, cinnamon and a touch of bitumen. The wine flows almost effortlessly, juicy, red-berried and clear, with fine, muted tannin and ripe fruit. Fruit, acidity, delicate spice and tannin are in balance.

Thomas Morey carries on, in the tenth generation, a family rooted in Chassagne-Montrachet since 1643. He founded his own estate in 2007 with his wife Sylvie and farms 13 hectares across seven villages. The Domaine de la Romanée-Conti entrusts him with the care of its vines in Le Montrachet Grand Cru. In 2011 he began the conversion to organic farming.