Winemaker Notes
The most aromatically vibrant and lifted of the Beaune Premier Cru, Les Greves is all about energy. With flavors of blood orange and fine-grained tannins, this De Montille favorite definitey punches above its weight class.
Professional Ratings
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Decanter
Showing pronounced cassis and plum fruit, with a floral edge and a hint of pepper. The full body and supple tannins are enlivened by a bright acidity to produce a very energetic impression on the palate. Good extract and length. The 1.26ha de Montille parcel of Beaune Grèves is just south of Bouchard's Vigne de l'Enfant Jésus. The vines here are almost 50 years old. The fruit ripened extremely well in 2020 and the grapes were fermented with nearly 50% whole-cluster before ageing in 25% new casks.
Barrel Sample: 94 -
Jasper Morris
A bright even rich purple. There is a very notable volume of fruit here on the nose, and it tastes in balance. The mix between fruit acidity and tannins is well judged. Harmonious and quite long, with a balanced elegant feel.
Thin-skinned, finicky and temperamental, Pinot Noir is also one of the most rewarding grapes to grow and remains a labor of love for some of the greatest vignerons in Burgundy. Fairly adaptable but highly reflective of the environment in which it is grown, Pinot Noir prefers a cool climate and requires low yields to achieve high quality. Outside of France, outstanding examples come from in Oregon, California and throughout specific locations in wine-producing world. Somm Secret—André Tchelistcheff, California’s most influential post-Prohibition winemaker decidedly stayed away from the grape, claiming “God made Cabernet. The Devil made Pinot Noir.”
While the city represents the epicenter of wine production in Burgundy, the term, “Beaune” also refers to the specific sub-appellation of the greater Côte de Beaune, whose vineyards climb up the pastoral slopes that border the city to its west. Originally founded as a Roman camp by Julius Caesar, the city of Beaune eventually became the seat of the dukes of Burgundy until the 13th century. Today it is home to top négociants such as Louis Jadot, Joseph Drouhin, Louis Latour, and Bouchard Père et Fils.
The appellation, dominated by Pinot Noir plantings, represents a lovely and charming place to begin to understand red Burgundy. Its sandy soils create light and supple, floral driven Pinot Noir. These wines are designed to be enjoyed within five to 10 years. The vineyards of Beaune span a broad swath of Premier Crus from Savigny-lès-Beaune to its border with Pommard.
Chardonnay acreage here has been increasing here in the more recent years.