Domaine des Lambrays

Clos des Lambrays is a producer located in Morey-Saint-Denis in the Côte de Nuits region of Burgundy. The domaine is famous for its Pinot Noir wines from the Clos des Lambrays Grand Cru vineyard, over which it has a near monopole. The wines are highly acclaimed by critics, regularly scoring highly in several publications.

The Clos des Lambrays vineyard name dates back to the 14th Century. The property was divided between 74 owners following the French Revolution, and wasn't reunited again until 1868. Over the next century the vineyard changed hands several times and fell into disarray, before it was purchased by Roland de Chambure and Fabien and Louis Saier in 1979. The new owners revitalized the vineyard and, in 1981, the vineyard was designated as Grand Cru. In 1996, ownership passed on to Gunter and Ruth Freund.

The vines in the Clos des Lambrays average around 40 years old, sitting on chalky marl and loam soils. This, combined with the aspect of the vineyard creates wines with power but also elegance. The grapes are picked and sorted by hand, and for the most part are not destemmed. The Pinot Noir is fermented in open stainless steel vats before aging for 18 months in French oak barrels, half of which are new.

In addition to the flagship Grand Cru wine, Lambray also produces a wine called Le Loups from the younger vines on the Clos des Lambrays vineyard. There is also a brandy, known as Fine des Lambrays, which is made from grapes matured seven years in oak after distillation. Finally, Lambrays also sources Chardonnay from Puligny-Montrachet to produce Clos du Cailleret.