Clos des Lambrays Grand Cru

The largest part of the vineyards consists of very old vines, the plants of the CLOS DES LAMBRAYS vineyard are on average 40 years. This average age includes the 2,45 ha replanted in 1980 and the annual grafting carried out with the best vine-stocks and clones of Pinot Noir (114, 115, 272). The plantation density of the vines (10.000 - 12.000 vines/hectare) is the optimum to get the best quality and the old vines, which needs a special care, remain preserved. The average yield is 31 hectolitres per hectare.

Aged in the Domaine’s underground cellars in oak barrels, half of which are renewed every year.

After the whole harvest which was rigorous sorted by hand, mostly not destemmed, the traditional Burgundian vinification begins. A pneumatic press produces juices from high quality.The estate has 10 open stainless steel vats with regular "pumping over" and "treading grapes" (pigeage).

Domaine des Lambrays was established in 1363 yet it was only in 1981 that this climat was finally promoted to Grand Cru. The estate was purchased in 1996 by the Freune family and since then dramatic changes have taken place leading to an upsurge in quality. At 8.8 hectares this is the largest Grand Cru parcel in Burgundy under one proprietor. As well as the grand cru itself the Domaine also owns vines in premier cru and village vineyards in Morey and since 1993 two premier cru vineyards in Puligny Montrachet les Folatières and Clos du Cailleret purchased from Domaine Chartron. Winemaker Thierry Brouin has been in charge since 1979. The vineyards are run on more or less organic lines with no chemical anti-rot sprays and ploughing of the soil by horse. In the cellar he likes to use the majority of the stems favours punching down over pumping over and prefers to restrain the amount of new oak – around 50% for the grand cru. The produce of young vines is downgraded to Morey St Denis 1er cru where it joins the fruit of tiny holdings of La Riotte and Le Village. The village Morey comes from La Riotte Clos Solon Les Larreys and especially La Bidaude which lies just above the Clos des Lambrays. Domaine des Lambrays produces wines which possess balance power and finesse and which fully live up to their Grand Cru status.