Domaine Morey-Coffinet

Historical

Michel Morey is son of Marc Morey, whence some of his vineyard holdings, and married a daughter of Fernand Coffinet, hence the remainder. It would not do to let Chassagne vines pass outside the village! Michel, who retired officially on 1^st January 2021, had handed winemaking responsibility some while earlier to his son Thibault, who joined the domaine in 2000. The domaine is based in a fine house with magnificent 16^th century vaulted stone cellars in the upper part of the village, near Clos St-Jean.

Viticulture & Vinification

Thibault stopped herbicides and began ploughing the soil in 2002, moving towards organic farming with certification since 2018. A few biodynamic ideas are in play as well, while the cellar contains a variety of eggs and amphorae. The whites are crushed before being given a relatively firm pressing – Thibault wants the contribution of skins and pips – with minimal settling and no sulphur until after the malolactic fermentation.

Vineyards

The ancient vines in the Morgeot Fairendes have recently ben grubbed up for replanting so the top premier cru now is probably La Romanée, made from vines planted in 1957. Thibault also has a policy of swapping some of his other grapes with other vignerons of his generation, thus adding a few additional appellations as Maison Morey-Coffinet.

The reds are destemmed. The most interesting of them is of course the Clos St-Jean. When Michel bought his house, a small orchard in Clos St-Jean came with it. He grubbed up the old trees in 1977 and replanted with Pinot. Great choice! The fruit is attractively pure with a sensual finesse and unobtrusive tannins.

White Wines

Red Wines