Bernard Moreau

History of Domaine Bernard Moreau

The history of Domaine Bernard Moreau took root in 1809, when Auguste Moreau built a cellar opposite the celebrated climat of La Maltroie in Chassagne-Montrachet, and cultivated a few hectares of vines on the golden hillsides of the Côte de Beaune. It was then Marcel Moreau, in the 1930s, who gave the domaine a new impetus by acquiring a large portion of its current plots, often planted at the time in red varieties, on terroirs now recognised as exceptional. Bernard Moreau, Marcel's son, joined the estate at the beginning of the 1960s, at just 14 years of age. In 1977, the domaine's reputation was firmly established and Bernard gave it his name, marking a decisive milestone in its history. In 1995 and 1999, his two sons Alexandre and Benoît joined the domaine, elevating the quality of the wines to an even higher level and propelling the estate to international renown. Since 2021, following Benoît's departure to found his own venture, Alex Moreau has single-handedly led the domaine, embodying the fifth generation of an exceptional winemaking lineage.

Over the generations, Domaine Bernard Moreau has become an essential reference in Chassagne-Montrachet, distinguished in particular by two stars in the Guide des meilleurs vins de France by the Revue des Vins de France. This historic domaine consistently embodies Burgundian excellence with passion, combining family heritage and contemporary standards of quality in every bottle produced.

Terroirs and Vines of Domaine Bernard Moreau

Domaine Bernard Moreau cultivates a 15-hectare vineyard spread across 14 different appellations, located primarily in the communes of Chassagne-Montrachet and Saint-Aubin, two emblematic terroirs of the Côte de Beaune. The soils of Chassagne-Montrachet are clay-limestone, characterised by a rich geological complexity that gives the wines their distinctive texture: at once opulent and taut, rich and mineral. The domaine's vines are among the oldest in the appellation, some dating back to 1939, which directly contributes to the concentration and aromatic depth of the cuvées produced. The estate manages its vines in a rigorously environmentally responsible manner: no herbicides have been used for over fifteen years, the soils are ploughed, and since 2014 only certified organic products have been employed for the protection of the vineyard.

Yield management lies at the heart of the domaine's philosophy: short pruning, precise shoot removal, green harvesting where necessary, and summer leaf thinning all contribute to obtaining healthy, well-balanced, and perfectly ripe grapes at harvest. The harvest is entirely manual. The domaine extends across outstanding climats, including some Premiers Crus and Grands Crus that rank among the most sought-after in Burgundy. The diversity of exposures and subsoils — between the upper parts of Chassagne-Montrachet oriented towards minerality and the sectors closer to the border with Puligny-Montrachet, more inclined towards freshness and fruitiness — offers a palette of wines of remarkable expressive richness.

Winemaking at Domaine Bernard Moreau

In the cellar, the philosophy of Domaine Bernard Moreau rests on a fundamental principle: allowing the terroir to express itself with the minimum of human intervention. After pressing, the Chardonnays are aged in oak barrels for 12 to 18 months, with a proportion of new wood ranging from 10 to 30% depending on the cuvée, ensuring a discreet oaky contribution that never overwhelms the fruit or the minerality. Lees stirring is deliberately limited, in order to preserve the brightness of the fruit and the aromatic precision characteristic of each climat. The white wines are racked as infrequently as possible, aged on fine lees, and bottled without filtration in the vast majority of cases, after a light fining. This respectful approach ensures a remarkable purity and identity in every cuvée.

For the red wines, ageing takes place in barrels with 10 to 20% new oak, over a period of 12 to 20 months depending on the level of appellation. Alcoholic fermentations are natural, conducted with indigenous yeasts. Maceration is gentle, without forced extraction, in order to obtain fine, silky, and expressive Pinot Noirs. The wines of Domaine Bernard Moreau are distinguished by a vibrant and elegant style, a truly faithful translation of the terroirs from which they originate, combining restrained power, mineral freshness, and remarkable aromatic persistence.

The cuvées of Domaine Bernard Moreau

Chassagne-Montrachet Blanc (Village): An iconic cuvée of the domaine, a blend of several plots located on both sides of the appellation. On its own, it represents approximately 30% of total production and stands as one of the most compelling introductions to the white wines of Chassagne-Montrachet. The nose is powerful, with ripe white fruits, flowers, and buttery, toasted notes. The palate is opulent on the attack, then stretches toward a beautiful minerality and great persistence on the finish.

Chassagne-Montrachet Rouge Vieilles Vignes: Sourced from old Pinot Noir vines averaging around fifty years of age, planted on clay-limestone soils with a south-east exposure. Vinified with indigenous yeasts, gentle maceration, aged in several-wine barrels for 15 months, then finished in tank. The result is a wine of great delicacy, framed by fresh and delicate red fruits, with a refined and persistent sap on the palate. Bottled without filtration.

Saint-Aubin 1er Cru "En Remilly": This white Premier Cru from Saint-Aubin stands out for its great aromatic freshness and vivacity. The limestone and stony terroir of "En Remilly" imparts a mineral tension and a particular energy to the wine. The nose is floral and fruity, the palate is lively, straight, and precise, with a beautiful length. A cuvée that easily rivals a great many Premiers Crus from Chassagne-Montrachet.

Saint-Aubin 1er Cru "Sur Gamay": Another expression of the Saint-Aubin terroir in white, the "Sur Gamay" cuvée presents a slightly rounder and more aromatic profile than "En Remilly". Chardonnay sourced from limestone soils, carefully aged in barrels. A highly approachable wine, combining freshness, finesse, and a beautiful fruity expression of the appellation.

Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru "Les Vergers": Located on one of the most mineral-rich hillsides of the appellation, this white Premier Cru reveals an added depth and definition compared to the Village cuvée. The nose offers concentrated citrus fruits and a delicate buttery note; the palate is straight, taut, and of beautiful length. A wine that perfectly reflects the precision and ambition of the domaine in its white Premiers Crus.

Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru "Les Chenevottes": One of the most reputed Premiers Crus of Chassagne-Montrachet, "Les Chenevottes" yields a wine of great aromatic complexity: brioche, buttery, floral, and smoky notes on the nose, an ample palate presenting a beautiful balance between richness and the minerality of the finish. The persistence is remarkable, with great ageing potential of up to 15 years and beyond depending on the vintage.

Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru "La Maltroie": A historic climat of the domaine, opposite which founder Auguste Moreau built his cellar as early as 1809. Planted with Chardonnay on a small-pebble clay soil, south-east facing on gentle slopes, this Premier Cru produces a wine that delightfully combines minerality and aromatic richness. One of the great white wines of the Côte de Beaune, and the absolute signature of Maison Moreau.

Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru "Les Champs Gain": Located near the border with Puligny-Montrachet, this Premier Cru expresses a beautiful freshness and a particularly elegant fruitiness. The Chardonnay here gains in lightness and tension, producing a wine of beautiful aromatic precision, with a long and mineral finish. A cuvée that brings together power and elegance with great naturalness.

Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru "Les Morgeot": The largest Premier Cru in Chassagne-Montrachet in terms of surface area, and one of the most renowned. Domaine Bernard Moreau expresses its full expertise here: the wine combines power and elegance, offering all the attributes of a Fine Wine white Burgundy, with an opulent texture, a long finish, and a minerality of the very highest order. A benchmark bottle, regularly rated at the highest levels by the international press.

Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru "Les Grandes Ruchottes": The jewel of the domaine, this Premier Cru is sourced from vines averaging 65 years of age, which impart an uncommon fullness and depth. The nose delivers pure and distinguished notes of candied citrus, roasted hazelnut, and honey. The palate is rich, sapid, and expressive, with a material of great breeding. The domaine's own plot on this climat measures just 0.35 hectares, making it one of the rarest and most sought-after cuvées in the estate.

Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru "La Cardeuse" (Rouge): A red Premier Cru from the Morgeot climat, "La Cardeuse" is the domaine's emblematic red wine for ageing. Characterised by dense, dark fruit, sophisticated tannins, and a firm structure, it perfectly embodies the very best that Chassagne-Montrachet can produce in red. A wine that is at once deep, elegant, and endowed with genuine ageing potential.

Chevalier-Montrachet Grand Cru: The absolute pinnacle of the domaine's white range, the Chevalier-Montrachet Grand Cru is produced from two demi-muids (350 litres), yielding minuscule quantities that make it one of the rarest and most precious bottles in the estate. The nose is of striking beauty: orange zest, crushed stone, delicate white flowers, all gaining in intensity with aeration. The palate is perfectly balanced, with a weight and transparency that define Burgundian excellence at its peak. A cuvée present at the domaine since the 2010 vintage.

Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru: Another Grand Cru in the range, the Bâtard-Montrachet expresses itself in a richer and more ample register than the Chevalier-Montrachet, with an aromatic richness and generosity on the palate that are characteristic of this sublime climat straddling Chassagne-Montrachet and Puligny-Montrachet. Produced in very small quantities, it represents one of the pinnacles of Burgundian Chardonnay. An exceptional wine, destined for long ageing.

Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru: The domaine's foray into the Grands Crus of the Côte de Beaune beyond Montrachet alone, the Corton-Charlemagne brings a different expression of Chardonnay — more mineral and more vertical. Produced in very limited volumes, this prestigious Grand Cru confirms the domaine's ability to sublimate several exceptional terroirs with the same rigour and the same sensitivity.

Volnay 1er Cru "Les Santenots": A red cuvée sourced from this Premier Cru of Volnay, renowned for its Pinot Noirs of remarkable finesse and elegance. Alex Moreau sources small volumes of grapes from this exceptional terroir to produce a delicate, fragrant wine with silky tannins and a beautiful length on the palate. A fine demonstration that the excellence of Maison Moreau extends beyond the boundaries of Chassagne-Montrachet.

Pommard 1er Cru "Les Frémiers": The final red cuvée in the range, this Premier Cru from Pommard reveals a more structured and more full-bodied Pinot Noir than the Volnay, faithful to the deep and robust character of the appellation. Produced in small quantities, "Les Frémiers" combines the rigour of Domaine Bernard Moreau with the natural power of the Pommard terroir, yielding a wine of character with fine ageing potential.