Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru blanc Clos Saint-Jean AOC 2024

The Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru blanc Clos Saint-Jean 2024 from Thomas Morey is a dry Chardonnay from a single climat in Chassagne-Montrachet. It is self-contained, still somewhat shy, and ranks among the finest wines of the vintage.

The Clos Saint-Jean comprises several parcels, including the clos proper at 5.08 hectares and Les Rébiches at 5.45 hectares; the original walled clos belonged to the convent of nuns of Saint-Jean le Grand in Autun and was planted in the year 589. Most of the site has red soils, while this white wine comes from small parcels with white soils in Les Rébiches. The climat links the lower-lying vineyards to the north with the higher ones to the south.

The Chardonnay comes from vines partly planted in 2017 and partly over 60 years old. Fermentation takes place with indigenous yeasts in a combination of neutral barrel and tank, with malolactic fermentation occurring naturally. The wine remains on the lees without bâtonnage, with around 20 percent new oak. Sulphur is added only during the final six months in barrel, in several minimal doses, never exceeding 35 mg/l in total.

The colour is pale golden yellow. The nose shows a subtle oak tone, cinnamon, yellow plums, star fruit, greengages and apples, along with a touch of lemon. On the palate, the 1er Cru remains fine and elegant, a wine of great nobility that grows more powerful in the glass minute by minute without losing its precision.

Thomas Morey represents the tenth generation of a family established in Chassagne-Montrachet since 1643 and founded his own estate in 2007 together with his wife, Sylvie — today spanning 13 hectares across seven villages of the Côte de Beaune, with six premier crus in Chassagne-Montrachet. He has farmed organically since 2011.