1997 Morey-Blanc Montrachet

Morey-Blanc is the negociant of Pierre Morey. Domaine Pierre Morey has an illustrious history in Burgundy. Pierre Morey himself descends from a family that has been making wine in Meursault since the 18th century. Pierre worked alongside his father and established his own domaine in 1971. He was also responsible for the metayage, or sharecropping agreement, his father had set up with Comtes Lafon and was the cellar master for Domaine Leflaive. Domaine Pierre Morey has 27 acres including a Grand Cru parcel in Batard-Montrachet. Its Premier Crus are in Meursault, Pommard and Volnay.

Le Montrachet is renowned as one of the world’s truly extraordinary Chardonnay vineyards. Along with its three neighboring vineyards, Chevalier-Montrachet, Batard-Montrachet and Bienvenues-Batard-Montrachet, Le Montrachet is a highly prestigious Grand Cru. Though Le Montrachet is usually associated with the Puligny-Montrachet appellation, almost half the famous vineyard lies in the Chassagne-Montrachet appellation just to the south. Le Montrachet is a 20-acre vineyard located on a steep, southern and southeastern slope at 260 meters above sea level. The soil is limestone and clay mixed with pebbles. The drainage is excellent and it is considered an ideal vineyard site. Until the French Revolution the vineyard was owned by a single family. Today the largest landholders are Marquis de Laguiche (whose wines are vinifed and marketed by Joseph Drouhin) with 5 acres; Baron Thenard (wines sold by Roland Remoissenet et Fils) 4.5 acres; and Bouchard Pere et Fils, 2.2 acres.

This white variety originated in Burgundy, but is now grown around the world. Its flexibility to thrive in many regions translates to wide flavor profile in the market. Chardonnay is commonly used in making Champagne and sparkling wines.