Burgundy’s Power Couple: Pierre-Yves Colin-Morey and Caroline Morey
It might seem a little crass to compare two excellent Burgundy winemakers to thoroughbred horses, but Pierre-Yves Colin and Caroline Morey have the best pedigree a Burgundian could wish for.
Pierre-Yves is just one descendant of the Colin dynasty of Saint-Aubin. Pierre is the eldest son of the great Marc Colin (whose Domaine is continued by Pierre-Yves’ siblings Damien and Caroline). Pierre worked at his father’s estate from 1994-2005 when he struck out on his own using inherited family vines.
Caroline has no less of a star-studded background. She is the eldest daughter of winemaker Jean-Marc Morey and a late scion of the Morey family which has resided in Burgundy's Chassagne-Montrachet since the mid-16th century. Caroline’s grandfather Albert was one of the first winemakers in Chassagne-Montrachet to pioneer domaine bottling. Caroline inherited prized sites from him in Santenay and Chassagne which later formed the backbone of her eponymous domaine in 2014.
Pierre-Yves Colin-Morey boasts plots in appellations from Bourgogne Hautes Côtes de Beaune to the great heights of Bâtard and Chevalier Montrachet Grand Crus.
Both Caroline and Pierre-Yves prefer a light touch when it comes to their winemaking approach. They use mostly 350L barrels, with no more than 30% new oak and no bâtonnage (a technique of stirring settled lees back into wine to extract flavor, aroma and texture) used on Caroline’s whites.
So, if you’re still with us despite those complicated family trees and confusingly-repetitive Christian names, then read on as we discuss this power couple’s impressive portfolio of wines.
2008 Pierre-Yves Colin-Morey, Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru
Situated almost on the border between the Côte de Nuits and the Côte de Beaune, the highest portion of the Hill of Corton is where the Corton-Charlemagne appellation lies. Corton-Charlemagne is a Grand Cru appellation and can be broken down into three sections corresponding with the three villages on its sides: Aloxe-Corton, Pernand-Vergelesses and Ladoix-Serrigny. The grapes for PYCM’s Corton-Charlemagne are sourced 50% Aloxe-Corton and 50% Pernand-Vergelesses. A delightful balance between astounding acidity and a rich, rounded opulence makes this 2008 Corton-Charlemagne an enchanting wine from Pierre-Yves Colin-Morey. Shop here.
2018 Pierre-Yves Colin-Morey, Saint Aubin 1er Cru ‘La Chatenière’
Saint-Aubin is truly Pierre-Yves’ heartland. His father Marc Colin’s estate being there, he began his winemaking journey in the small (and often overlooked) village sandwiched between the two Burgundy giants of Chassagne-Montrachet (to the North) and Puligny-Montrachet (to the South). With the Premier Cru parcel of ‘La Chatenière’ facing due south, the vines have maximum daily exposure to the sun resulting in rich flavors of exotic and tropical fruit. Shop here.
2017 Caroline Morey, Chassagne-Montrachet ‘Chambrees’
Caroline Morey’s ‘Chambrees’ is a blend of three lieu-dits situated in the heart of Chassagne-Montrachet: Les Chênes, Les Masures, and La Bergerie are all planted with old vines averaging 40 years in total, bringing intensity and concentration to the final product. All three plots are vinified separately, and only blended just prior to bottling. This is a very serious village wine, from an exceptional producer and should not be overlooked. Caroline produces wines of precision, purity and a wonderful expression of terroir. Aromas and flavours showcased include fresh green and citrus fruit, with a clearly defined minerality and a saline finish. Shop here.
2017 Caroline Morey, Santenay 1er Cru ‘La Comme’
Caroline inherited the ‘La Comme’ parcel from her grandfather Albert. It's one of the most famous sites in Santenay and borders those of Chassagne-Montrachet. Planted on a gentle slope, the vines are angled south-east and benefit greatly from the mild morning sun giving the wine a gentle warmth and ripeness. Similarly, the majority limestone soil gives the Pinot Noir grape more finesse and structure than the clay soil which occupies the west end of Santenay. Planted with old vines, some of which are around 50 years old, Morey’s ‘La Comme’ is a lighter style of Pinot Noir showing a very pale and delicate color. It has enchanting strawberry aromas and an irresistibly silky palate feel. Shop here.
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