Alex Moreau Region: France - Burgundy

“It’s impossible to discuss Chassagne-Montrachet without mentioning the name Bernard Moreau.”

For four generations, the family has made some of the purest, most thought-provoking wines of the appellation. Their winemaking roots go back to 1809, when Auguste Moreau built the first cellar across from the La Maltroie vineyard in Chassagne-Montrachet and farmed a few hectares of Chardonnay and Pinot along the golden slope.

In the 1930s, the estate flourished under the direction of Marcel Moreau. A majority of the domaine’s vineyard holdings were acquired by Marcel during this time. In the early 1960s, Alex’s father, Bernard Moreau, joined what was then known as Domaine Marcel Moreau at only 14 years old. In 1977, the reputation of the estate was fully established, and Bernard put his own name on the label and took over the vineyards and cellar operations.

Domaine Alex Moreau is the natural progression of the storied Domaine Bernard Moreau. Alex’s father was a rightfully venerated vigneron in Burgundy. Employing a style of winemaking that might best be described as hands-off, the domaine produces Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays that are sensual, opulent, and delicious. Alex Moreau joined the Domaine in 1995, when it became Domaine Bernard Moreau et Fils. In 2020, Alex assumed full control of the winery, cellar, and winemaking. He was quickly recognized as part of the new generation of talented winemakers in the Côte d’Or. After more than 25 vintages at Domaine Bernard Moreau et Fils, Alex decided it was time to put his own name on the label, as his father and his father before him had done. The 2021 vintage marked the first release under the Domaine Alex Moreau name.

As of 2022, Alex’s holdings shrank by an additional 12.53 acres (5 ha) with the expiration of an 18-year fermage agreement. Sadly, this was the source of Alex’s Aligoté and Passetoutgrains, as well as a large portion of his Chassagne-Montrachet village wines, both red and white. The good news is that, with the 2025 vintage, Domaine Alex Moreau now produces three new appellations: Monthélie Blanc, Monthélie 1er Cru Les Duresses Blanc, and Monthélie 1er Cru Les Clous Rouge. This brings the entire estate to 17.28 acres (7 ha).

The size of the estate may have changed, but Alex’s approach to winemaking has not. The white wines of Alex Moreau continue with long pressings, vinification in predominantly François Frères barrels, and fermentation with natural yeast. With added space in his cellar, Alex has elected to lengthen élevage on some wines, as well as extending the time on lees in tank before bottling.

Today, Alex Moreau and his wife Martine are the stewards of Domaine Alex Moreau. Alex leads the overall operations of the winery including cellar, winemaking, and the vineyards. Martine plays an active and vital role in the business, and together, they are writing the next chapter in the legacy of Domaine Alex Moreau.

VINEYARD HOLDINGS

7 ha/17.28 acres

The Domaine’s most famous own vineyard is its 0.35 hectares of Chassagne-Montrachet 1er cru Les Grandes Rouchotes, but the entire range represent Chassagne-Montrachet at its finest.

As of 2022, Alex’s holdings shrank by an additional 12.53 acres (5 ha) with the expiration of an 18-year fermage agreement. Sadly, this was the source of Alex’s Aligoté and Passetoutgrains, as well as a large portion of his Chassagne-Montrachet village wines, both red and white. The good news is that, with the 2025 vintage, Domaine Alex Moreau now produces three new appellations: Monthélie Blanc, Monthélie 1er Cru Les Duresses Blanc, and Monthélie 1er Cru Les Clous Rouge. This brings the entire estate to 17.28 acres (7 ha).

As with most all great Burgundian estates the emphasis at Alex Moreau is on terroir. Treat the vineyards right and they’ll reward you with superior fruit. The size of the estate may have changed, but Alex’s approach to winemaking has not. To maintain healthy, balanced soils, the winery never uses pesticides and relies only on organic fertilizers. The vineyards are farmed for low yields to ensure greater flavor intensity, achieved through pruning, de-budding, leaf thinning for the Pinot Noir on the morning-sun side, and the planting of cover crops in certain vineyards to encourage competition and soak up moisture. Harvest is done entirely by hand.

WINERY
The wines are naturally fermented and aged predominantly in François Frères barrels, with 10–25% new oak, for 12 to 22 months depending on the vineyard and vintage. With additional cellar space, Alex has chosen to extend élevage for some wines, as well as the time spent on the lees in tank before bottling.

The white wines of Alex Moreau continue with long pressings, vinification in predominantly François Frères barrels, spontaneous fermentation with natural yeast, and an élevage that lasts a year, followed by six months on the lees in tank before bottling under natural cork.

The red wines see a significant percentage of whole bunches. Alex states, “For our Pinot Noirs we don’t do any racking, fining or filtration. We want to make the purest expression of the Pinot Noir from our vineyards.”