Wines Chassagne-Montrachet Lucien Le Moine - Morgeot - 2017

Viniou Reviews

Lucien Le Moine’s Chassagne-Montrachet Premier Cru “Morgeot” 2017 is a particularly refined expression of Côte de Beaune Pinot Noir. The vintage 2017 offered moderate yields and gentle conditions, resulting in wines that balance purity of fruit and elegance. The grapes for this cuvée are sourced from the Premier Cru plots of Morgeot, celebrated for their mineral-rich soils composed of limestone and clay, which bring both structure and depth to the wine. Vinification by Lucien Le Moine is meticulous and traditional; indigenous yeasts, minimal intervention and long barrel ageing (with a significant proportion of new oak) give this wine a subtle complexity and allow the vineyard’s identity to express itself.

Chassagne-Montrachet is world-renowned for its whites, but its reds possess a distinct, charming character. The region enjoys a temperate, semi-continental climate, granting grapes a slow and even ripening cycle. Morgeot’s varied soils—predominantly clay-limestone—favour robust, aromatic Pinot Noir with silky tannins and clear red fruit expression. While Chassagne has a deep-rooted viticultural heritage dating back to the Middle Ages, the reds have over the past decades risen in esteem, prized for their balance, freshness, and gentle spice.

Pairing options are wide but ideally favour subtle, savoury dishes that respect the wine’s finesse. Roast poultry, such as guinea fowl or duck breast with a berry reduction, works beautifully alongside the wine’s notes of cherry, wild strawberry, and savoury earth. Traditional Burgundian fare like coq au vin or rabbit with mustard sauce will release another layer to the wine’s aromatic complexity. More adventurous pairings might include seared tuna or lightly spiced lamb dishes.

To fully appreciate the nuanced aromas—a bouquet of red fruits, rose petals, delicate spice and forest floor—serve this wine at 15–16°C. A short decant (thirty minutes) will further coax out its perfume and polish the tannins, making for a harmonious and memorable tasting experience. This wine will continue to evolve over the next decade if cellared carefully.