VINCENT & SOPHIE MOREY, SANTENAY LES HÂTES BLANC
BURGUNDY, FRANCE 2022
Why Buy: The 2022 Santenay Les Hâtes Blanc by Vincent and Sophie Morey is a value Burgundy that punches at 1er Cru quality … and does it for less than $60 a bottle!
The Makers: The husband-and-wife team of Vincent and Sophie Morey embodies everything we adore about small, family-run estates. Their hands touch every vine, their eyes scrutinize every grape of their 20 hectare vineyard. They don't just respect their terroir; they revere it. Their 2022 Santenay Les Hâtes Blanc is a love letter to limited yields, meticulous care in the vineyards, and an unwavering commitment to terroir.
What They're Saying: The great Burgundy sage Jasper Morris has called the 2022 vintage "extremely fine,” and this gorgeous Chardonnay is among the best of the best of that class — a reminder of the poetry that can result when passionate vignerons pour their hearts into their craft.
The Story: Vincent and Sophie Morey's journey is a romance of both the heart and the vine. Vincent got his start in Saint-Émilion before rejoining his family estate in Chassagne-Montrachet, in 1986. That same year, Sophie was completing her first vintage at Domaine Ménager-Belland, in Santenay. What united them both, beyond love, was their belief that great wine begins in the vineyard, not the cellar, and that no detail of viticulture is too small to matter. Twenty years later, the couple established their own estate. Success quickly followed. Their portfolio is wide and ranging, but what you will find in all of their wines is that they are varietally correct, carefully crafted, and uncommonly elegant. Year after year, the Moreys can be counted upon to produce some of the most anticipated releases in all of Burgundy.
Attention to Detail: What sets the Moreys apart is their passion for getting the details right. Vincent, who adopted his father's cellar near the Abbaye de Morgeot, has fine-tuned every aspect of production. His approach to lees-stirring, for instance — with bâtonnage performed fortnightly rather than weekly, allowing for optimal flavor development without overwhelming the wine's delicate balance.
The Bottling: Harvested from low-yield vines to ensure concentration, all their grapes undergo gentle pressing before fermentation. The wine then matures in a carefully calibrated mix of new, one-year-old, and two-year-old oak barrels, typically in a 40-40-20 ratio. This meticulous aging process imparts subtle complexity without masking the wine's inherent character.
Our Tasting Notes: Tilt the glass to the light after pouring and just revel for a moment in its beauty: that gorgeous, golden hue is a promise of what’s to come. The nose offers a beguiling array of white flowers, ripe citrus, and a hint of crushed stone. On the palate, it reveals the Moreys' signature style — a harmonious blend of rich texture and vibrant acidity. The finish is long and mineral-driven, a reminder of the wine's noble terroir.
Fun Fact: The Moreys' vineyard, Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Embrazées, holds a romantic significance beyond its exceptional quality. It was where Vincent and Sophie's paths first crossed, leading to a partnership that would change their lives, and, in many ways, redefine winemaking in Chassagne-Montrachet.
Our Guarantee: As with all our offerings, these wines come directly from the estate. Your bottles will arrive in pristine condition, ready for your cellar — or your glass.
*Offer NOT valid in-store. This offer is made pre-arrival, with wines estimated to be delivered to your preferred store in Fall 2024. With the supply chain issues that we are seeing globally, there may be some unforeseen delays which could affect the ETA. All sale prices are the lowest available at Total Wine & More and ONLY valid through Concierge Sales. No further discounts or coupons may be applied. Offer not valid in KS, KY, MI, NY, or TN. This offer is for ONE WEEK, or until sold out, and will expire on Sunday, August 4th, 2024.
