Domaine Des Lambrays - Morey St Denis 1er Cru 'Les Loups' Red 2021

Wine Region: Burgundy - France

Grape: Pinot Noir (100%)

The Premier Cru Les Loups comes from 3 different localities. Its name refers to the emblematic animal of the village. Two wolves appear on the coat of arms of Morey Saint-Denis as well as that of Domaine des Lambrays. It happens, as in 1986, that the vintage is not worthy of Clos des Lambrays. In this case, the wine is folded into Premier Cru.

Expert Rating: 
Robert Parker: 90-92/100
"Aromas of rose petals, sweet red berries, cinnamon and clove introduce the 2021 Morey-Saint-Denis 1er Cru Les Loups, a medium to full-bodied, ample and fleshy wine that's supple and perfumed, structured around powdery tannins and concluding with a saline finish."

Jasper Morris - Inside Burgundy: 92-94/100

About the Winery:

Domaine des Lambrays was established in 1363 yet it was only in 1981 that this climat was finally promoted to Grand Cru. The estate was purchased in 1996 by the Freune family and since then dramatic changes have taken place, leading to an upsurge in quality. At 8.8 hectares, this is the largest Grand Cru parcel in Burgundy under one proprietor.

As well as the grand cru itself, the Domaine also owns vines in premier cru and village vineyards in Morey, and since 1993, two premier cru vineyards in Puligny Montrachet, les Folatières and Clos du Cailleret, purchased from Domaine Chartron.

Winemaker Thierry Brouin has been in charge since 1979. The vineyards are run on more or less organic lines, with no chemical anti-rot sprays, and ploughing of the soil by horse. In the cellar, he likes to use the majority of the stems, favours punching down over pumping over, and prefers to restrain the amount of new oak – around 50% for the grand cru. The produce of young vines is downgraded to Morey St Denis 1er cru where it joins the fruit of tiny holdings of La Riotte and Le Village. The village Morey comes from La Riotte, Clos Solon, Les Larreys and especially La Bidaude which lies just above the Clos des Lambrays.

Domaine des Lambrays produces wines which possess balance, power and finesse and which fully live up to their Grand Cru status.