Morey Saint Denis, Burgundy: 10 Best Wines, Prices (2024)
Morey Saint Denis (or Morey-Saint-Denis) is a commune and appellation in the Côte de Nuits region of Burgundy.
The area is home to five Grand Cru appellations and 20 Premier Cru vineyards, making some of the most powerful red and white wines that benefit from around a decade of aging.
This article will explore Morey Saint Denis in detail, including the wine characteristics, the 10 best bottles to buy in 2024, and their investment potential. We’ll also look at the region’s viticulture and history.
Further reading
- Interested in French white wines? Discover the Finest Sauvignon Blanc and Chenin Blanc bottles.
- Alternatively, explore the Enchanting World of Italian Wine.
Morey Saint Denis Vineyards
Located in Côte de Nuits, in the northern part of Cote d’Or, Morey St Denis has around 140 hectares of vine plantings, divided among Village, Premier Cru, and Grand Cru classifications.
There are five Grand Cru appellations, including:
- Clos St Denis
- Clos de la Roche
- Clos des Lambrays
- Clos de Tart
- Bonnes Mares
The area is also home to 20 Premier Cru vineyards.
Morey Saint Denis lies between two reputed neighbors - Gevrey Chambertin and Chambolle Musigny.
Morey Saint Denis: Wine Styles and Characteristics
Morey Saint Denis produces both red and white wines:
A. Red Wine
Red wine makes up most of the region’s wine production, made using the Pinot Noir grape. Although a red wine can comprise Chardonnay, it’s seldom practiced.
The red wines of Morey can be quite diverse in style. While some winemakers prefer to make delicate wines like Chambolle-Musigny, others veer towards bold and gamey reds like the ones from Gevrey Chambertin.
Most Morey-Saint-Denis wines can be drunk immediately, but all would benefit from around a decade of cellaring.
Their rich flavor, characteristic of a Burgundy Pinot Noir, pairs fantastically with grilled beef, duck, or tuna.
B. White Wine
Only about 5% of the wine bottles produced here are white, most of which is Chardonnay. However, one or two parcels are planted with Pinot Blanc or Aligoté.
These wines have developed a cult following for their firm, mineral-based palate.
Enjoy a glass of Morey white wine with chicken, pasta, or veal.
10 Remarkable Morey Saint Denis Wines To Buy in 2024
Let’s take a look at ten phenomenal Morey Saint Denis wine bottles and their tasting notes:
- 2002 Domaine Leroy Clos de la Roche Grand Cru
- 2004 Jacky Truchot Clos de la Roche Grand Cru
- 1999 Domaine Dujac Clos Saint Denis Grand Cru
- 2019 Domaine Hubert Lignier Clos de la Roche Grand Cru
- 2017 Domaine Taupenot-Merme Clos des Lambrays Grand Cru
- 2005 Domaine Ponsot Clos de la Roche Grand Cru
- 2019 Domaine du Clos de Tart 'Clos de Tart' Grand Cru Monopole
- 2016 Domaine des Monts Luisants Clos de la Roche Grand Cru
- 2019 Domaine Heresztyn-Mazzini Les Millandes
- 2016 Camille Giroud Morey-Saint-Denis Clos Solon
1. 2002 Domaine Leroy Clos de la Roche Grand Cru ($9,995)
Tantalizing aromas of herbs, dark fruit, and spice radiate from the glass. This structured wine offers flavors of cherry, raspberry with decent tannins.
2. 2004 Jacky Truchot Clos de la Roche Grand Cru ($5,399)
A deep bouquet of cherries, coffee, and soil complements a rich palate of fruit and moderate tannins.
3. 1999 Domaine Dujac Clos Saint Denis Grand Cru ($2,482)
An exquisite nose of black fruit and espresso is complemented by subtle spice and earth fragrances. Medium tannins support the fruity palate and a long finish.
4. 2019 Domaine Hubert Lignier Clos de la Roche Grand Cru ($1,098)
Made from the fruit of old vine plantings, this Grand Cru wine packs a complex nose of black and red fruit, orange rind, and spice. The palate is elegant and long, with a saline finish.
5. 2017 Domaine Taupenot-Merme Clos des Lambrays Grand Cru ($1,325)
A complex nose of cassis, black cherries, and lavender leads to a deep palate of dark berries laced with cloves and sage.
6. 2005 Domaine Ponsot Clos de la Roche Grand Cru ($1,347)
The wine has a broad nose packed with black cherry, violet, licorice, and spice. Flavors of spices, chocolate, and black cherry saturate the palate.
7. 2019 Domaine du Clos de Tart 'Clos de Tart' Grand Cru Monopole ($746)
The wine opens with notes of wild berries, rose petals, and warm spices. A full-bodied, velvety palate and refined tannins lead to a long, perfumed finish.
8. 2016 Domaine des Monts Luisants Clos de la Roche Grand Cru ($418)
This Morey Saint Denis wine offers delicious aromas of cherries and pepper on the nose, giving way to a palate of dark fruit and earth.
9. 2019 Domaine Heresztyn-Mazzini Les Millandes ($121)
This Premier Cru opens with a nose of pine needles and red fruit. The medium-bodied palate is defined by flavors of black fruit and firm tannins.
10. 2016 Camille Giroud Morey-Saint-Denis Clos Solon ($50)
Bright, concentrated aromas of plum, red cherry, and sweet spice dominate the nose. The palate showcases a medium body with flavors of red fruit, mint, and earth.
But which of these wines offers the best investment potential?
Investing in Morey Saint Denis Wines
Most Morey St Denis wines aren’t meant to be drunk immediately and will benefit from at least a decade in the cellar.
The wines from the bests like Domaine Leroy and Domaine Ponsot are favorites among wine critics. For example, Robert Parker scored the Clos de la Rouche Grand Cru 2017 vintage from Domaine Dujac an impressive 95.
These wines are sought-after investments mainly because they routinely command high prices and show commendable price appreciation:
- Domaine Leroy’s Clos de la Roche Grand Cru 2003 vintage rose by 60% from $5,509 in 2021 to $8,726 in 2022.
- Similarly, Jacky Truchot’s 2003 Clos de la Roche skyrocketed from $2,200 in 2021 to $10,875 in 2022 - a meteoric rise of 394%.
If you’d like to invest in these fine wines, be sure to use a trusted wine investment platform like Vinovest.
Morey Saint Denis: Climate and Viticulture
Vines planted at the top of the slope grow in thin, well-drained, oolitic limestone, while those lower down enjoy rich soils high in marlstone.
Like most Cote d’Or communes, Morey’s vineyards grow at an altitude of 240 to 360 meters. Village level vineyards grow on the lowest and highest slope points, while the Grands Crus and Premiers Crus inhabit the mid-slope.
Let’s take a closer look at the history of the appellation.
A Brief History of Morey Saint Denis
It’s believed that the village of Morey has been cultivating vines since the 10th century.
Up until the French revolution, the Church owned most of the land. After the revolution, a lot of the land fell into the hands of one or two families.
The village originally sold its wines under the names of its neighbors, Gevrey-Chambertin and Chambolle-Musigny. As such, Morey didn’t benefit from the prosperity its neighbors enjoyed.
To change this, they attached the name of a local Grand Cru to the village name. Oddly, the vineyard they opted for isn’t considered the commune’s finest Grand Cru vineyard. That title goes to Clos de la Roche.
Nevertheless, they chose Clos St. Denis, which was appended to Morey in 1927.
The village’s second big break came in 1936 when the Morey Saint Denis appellation was created and today boasts its unique winemaking reputation.
Add A Fine Morey Saint Denis Bottle To Your Collection!
Morey Saint Denis wines, especially those from the top wineries, are exceptional, and are known for their remarkable consistency, and ability to age.
If you’re looking at investing in Morey Saint Denis wines, look no further than Vinovest. The platform can help you buy, store, and sell fine wine from around the globe, including the United States, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and more.
