At a glance

Producer

Domaine des Lambrays

Region

Morey-Saint-Denis, Côte de Nuits, Burgundy, France

Grape variety

Pinot Noir

Wine type

Red

Body

Full-bodied and Smooth

Sweetness

Dry

Typical price

$400-$700

Tasting profile

Aromatic with red and black cherry, earth, subtle spice, floral hints, and a hint of underbrush

Evolution: Will develop complexity with tertiary notes of truffle, forest floor, tobacco, and leather over the next 10-15 years

At peak: Balanced integration of fruit, earth, and savory notes with velvety texture and lingering finish

Structure

Acidity

Medium-high acidity offering freshness

Tannins

Firm and structured, typical of Grand Cru Pinot Noir

Alcohol

Around 13-13.5%

Aging potential

25-35+ years with optimal drinking from 7-10 years after vintage

Drinking window

Peak drinking

2030 to 2055

Optimal window

2025 to 2058

Current status

Approaching early maturity, has opened but still youthful

Current condition

Firm tannins and bright acidity, pronounced fruit and mineral notes, will benefit from further cellaring

Based on the vintage quality, terroir of the Clos des Lambrays Grand Cru vineyard, and typical aging curves for top Burgundy Pinot Noir, the wine benefits from extended maturation due to firm tannins and high-quality phenolics. The vintage 2018 was warm but balanced enough to produce concentrated wines with aging potential.

Food pairing

Game birds, roasted duck, mushroom dishes, truffle risotto, aged cheeses, and rich yet delicate red meat dishes

Serving

Serving temperature

15-17°C / 59-63°F

Decant

Yes (1 hour) — To allow the structured tannins to soften and aromas to open fully

Sustainability

Sustainability score: 7/10

Domaine des Lambrays employs traditional viticulture with attention to soil health, minimal chemical interventions, manual harvesting, and canopy management to preserve biodiversity

While not certified organic or biodynamic, Domaine des Lambrays focuses on sustainable vineyard management respecting the terroir, limiting synthetic chemical inputs, and employing manual labor which reduces mechanized energy use. Transportation emissions for international export are unavoidable but the producer's attention to soil preservation and biodiversity improve overall sustainability profile.