The 2024 Pierre-Yves Colin-Morey Monthélie Premier Cru Les Riottes Rouge is a rare and highly attractive red Burgundy from a producer better known for his exceptional white wines. Les Riottes is a Premier Cru site in Monthélie, on the Côte de Beaune, with clay-limestone soils that naturally give Pinot Noir a combination of red-fruit perfume, freshness and fine structure. The 2024 is a particularly interesting release because Colin-Morey's red wines are produced in very small quantities.
The nose is lifted and precise, showing wild strawberry, raspberry and red cherry, followed by rose petal, gentle spice and subtle earthy, undergrowth notes. There is also a fine mineral character that gives the wine definition rather than weight. The overall aromatic profile is elegant and transparent, very much in keeping with the restrained style associated with Pierre-Yves Colin-Morey's reds.
On the palate, it is medium-bodied, silky and energetic, with juicy red berries supported by lively acidity and fine-grained tannins. The clay-limestone soils provide a firm mineral backbone, while partial whole-bunch fermentation adds floral lift and a subtle savoury character. Colin-Morey's red wines typically use around 30% whole bunch, with gentle extraction designed to preserve freshness and finesse rather than produce a heavily extracted Burgundy.
The finish is long and graceful, with raspberry, red cherry, dried flowers, spice and a delicate earthy-mineral character. It has the classic Monthélie combination of Volnay-like elegance with a little more structure, making Les Riottes particularly appealing for Burgundy drinkers who enjoy fragrant, finely textured Pinot Noir.
Ben’s Recommendation:
At Wine More Cellars, the 2024 Pierre-Yves Colin-Morey Monthélie 1er Cru Les Riottes Rouge is a very strong collector's choice, particularly for customers who already know Colin-Morey's whites and want to explore his increasingly sought-after reds.
Compared with the 2023 Caroline Morey Santenay 1er Cru La Comme, Les Riottes is likely to be more delicate, floral and silky, while the Santenay has a slightly darker and firmer profile. Compared with the 2023 Pierre-Yves Colin-Morey Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Clos St Jean Rouge, Les Riottes should show similar finesse but a little more earthy, savoury Monthélie character.
