Domaine des Lambrays is a new addition to our printed offer although it is an estate which we have long followed. The domaine has been in the news recently, given the high profile purchase by the Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessey group. For now, the style and the quality that we have admired for long remains, with winemaker Thierry Brouin still at the helm, having overseen the quality of the wines for over three decades. It will, however, be interesting to see how the wines develop as further investment from LVMH is provided.
While the estate owns several Premier Cru and villages vineyards, from which several thousand cases are made, Clos des Lambrays is the pinnacle of their holdings. This vineyard became a Grand Cru in 1981 and the imposing stone walls of the vineyard actually forms the boundary of the village of Morey itself. Nine hectares of vines are situated on various soil types of which Francois has enviable parcelled holdings.
An interesting point is that the estate has a virtual monopoly on the Grand Cru of Clos des Lambrays, but with a tiny parcel of vines resolutely belonging to another of our producers, Romain and Virginie Taupenot-Merme.
Domaine des Lambrays, Clos des Lambrays Grand Cru 2015
The 2015 exemplifies the quality that this Cru can achieve. Thierry attributes much of the this to two different terroir; the marne soils, higher altitude and somewhat cooler temperatures of the upper vineyard contributing finesse, and the loam and chalk soils of the lower part providing power and body on the wine’s palate. This 2015 certainly displays a very fine perfume of cassis and spice that is so typical of Morey-Saint-Denis with a rich, deep, structured body. It will spend approximately 18 months in oak, of which half is new French barrels, to add complexity and ensure all the wine will remain well knit. This is a potent, powerful wine that will age and develop impeccably over the next few decades. Drink 2022-2045
£900 per six bottles in bond