Domaine des Lambrays : Clos des Lambrays Grand cru 2023

Characteristics and tasting tips for the Clos des Lambrays Grand Cru 2023 from Domaine des Lambrays

Tasting

Color
Intense black-purple color revealing the richness and concentration of this wine.

Nose
The olfactory expression is particularly aromatic and fragrant, exuding immediate charm. The bouquet reveals radiant red fruit, accompanied by notes of tobacco and undergrowth. Elegant floral nuances of lilac, violet, and rose petals enhance scents of black cherry liqueur, while spicy accents and an earthy minerality add complexity and depth.

Palate
The attack reveals a medium-bodied wine with fine yet firm, velvety, and soft tannins. The structure develops in a crescendo, gaining power and concentration on the palate. The finish is remarkably long, with a stylish expansion accented by a generous pinch of black pepper.

Serving and Storage
It is recommended to open the bottles 3 hours in advance, without decanting or recorking. The ideal serving temperature is between 16 and 17°C to fully bring out the complexity of the Clos des Lambrays Grand Cru 2023. Although seductive now, this wine is designed for quiet aging and can be kept until around 2043.

An aromatic Burgundy Grand Cru of timeless elegance

The Estate
The Domaine des Lambrays was founded in its current configuration in 1868 by Albert-Sébastien Rodier in Morey-Saint-Denis, in the Côte-d'Or. Under the technical direction of Jacques Devauges, this historic estate with medieval origins is distinguished by its Grand Cru Clos des Lambrays, distributed as a quasi-monopole across three distinct climats. The luxury group LVMH acquired the estate in 2014 with the mission of ensuring its continuity, notably through high-precision plot-based work, organic certification, and the ongoing conversion to biodynamics, as well as the renovation of the cellars and the acquisition of new plots in 2021.

The Vineyard
The Clos des Lambrays spans 8.66 hectares in the heart of the Morey-Saint-Denis appellation. This exceptional monopole site benefits from a plot-by-plot approach that respects the diversity of subsoils, soils, exposures, altitudes, and microclimates. The vines, derived from a "massal selection" of fine Pinot, boast a remarkable genetic heritage: 70% were planted between 1898 and 1935, 28% in 1980, and 2% in 2000. Some sectors even represent the first generation replanted after the phylloxera crisis. The planting orientation perpendicular to the slope, unusual for the Côte, aims to limit soil erosion and protect the berries from excessive summer sun, thereby preserving freshness and balance.

The Vintage
The 2023 vintage benefited from a favorable vegetative cycle with budbreak on April 7, three days earlier than the average in Morey-Saint-Denis. Flowering took place around June 7 under optimal conditions in the Côte de Nuits, followed by post-flowering rains that favored fruit set. The hot summer in July and August, punctuated by regular rainfall, allowed the berries to swell and ripen harmoniously. A significant green harvest in late July, carried out vine by vine, reduced yields and strengthened concentration. The harvest took place from September 7 to 11 under bright sunshine.

Winemaking and Aging
The vinification of the Clos des Lambrays Grand Cru 2023 focuses on gentleness with a process carried out entirely by gravity. The long and harmonious alcoholic fermentations take place for three weeks in wooden tanks, with 80% whole bunches and using exclusively indigenous yeasts. Aging extends over 18 months in oak barrels, 50% of which are new wood.

Grape Variety
This Burgundy wine comes from a "massal selection" of Pinot Noir, a genetic heritage where some sectors represent the first generation replanted after the phylloxera crisis.