Established: 1759 (new owners since August 2020)

Appellations: AOC Morgon

Proprietor: Jean-Philippe Manchès, Jean-Philippe Janoueix and Laurent Bonnet

Winemaker:

Wine Making Overview: Hand harvest and selection with natural yeast ferment at low temperatures for 15-20 days. Whole bunch ferment for vieilles vignes cuvee and aged in 3000 litre foudres. Partial whole bunch for Cote du Py and totally de-stemmed for Les Charmes cuvee which is aged in 228 L barrels mostly 3-4 years old.

Viticulture: Sustainable - Organic treatments

Vegan Friendly: Yes

Vineyard Area: 8 ha

Vineyards:

  • Morgon Cote Du Py (100+ yo vines)

  • Morgon Les Charmes (mostly 40-100+ yo vines)

Vine Density: 9 000 per ha

Average Production: 4 000 dozen

 
“Château Grange Cochard is one of the new superstar domaines in Morgon, though the estate has been around since 1759.”
— John Gilman, View From The Cellar, May 2018.
“Sarah and James Wilding purchased this Morgon estate in 2008, and they have enjoyed considerable success to date, producing elegant but concentrated renditions of the appellation from some of its superior terroirs. Winemaking is classical, with their Charmes and Côte du Py both matured in barrels from tonnellerie Chassin and their Vieilles Vignes cuvée raised in foudre. I have sung praises for these wines in the past, and the 2017 vintage met my high expectations. In short, anything bearing the Grange Cochard name comes warmly recommended.”
— William Kelly, The Wine Advocate, August 2019.

Whilst this is a very old property and chateau the former owners, Sarah and James Wilding (since 2008), have in a very short time established themselves among the very top producers of this highly regarded appellation. In July 2020 the property has changed ownership under the direction of Jean-Philippe Manches. With a relatively small vineyard area of just 6.5 hectares of very old and established vines to tend to, the care and attention to detail here has been very impressive yielding widespread critical acclaim.

All of their vineyards are located very close to their winery and chateau and their vineyards are all farmed organically (not certified). For vinification after hand picking into small cases and careful sorting the vinifications are made in a classic way with ferments taking place in cement tanks and then ageing in a mixture of foudres and barrels keeping the wine on lees until bottling around 9-12 months after harvest. These are wines of purity and generosity evident from very old vines. The wines demand some time to show their best (as most top Morgon wines do).

2020 Morgon Côte du Py
From old vines grown at the very top of the most renowned terroir of Morgon, the Côte du Py, on the crushed blue schist of the ancient volcano. Predominantly de-stemmed, followed by a 2-3 week fermentation and maturation in a mix of barrique and larger format oak. This shows excellent depth and concentration coming from very small yields yet also very fine tannins and notable freshness with excellent balance and is showing very well even at this young age.
”A fruit-expressive and crisp Morgon with sour cherries, mulberries, wild strawberries, haw fruit and dried herbs. Medium-to full-bodied with bright acidity and some tart cherries on the palate. Smooth, small-grained tannins. Lively and succulent, with crunchy berries and a salivating finish. Drink now.” 92 points, James Suckling, October 2022

2018 Morgon Vieilles Vignes - SOLD OUT
From 40-70 year old vines grown on ancient stony-clay decomposed granite alluvial soils just across the road from the Château. Vinification of whole bunches, followed by a 2-3 week fermentation and maturation in old 3000 litre foudres. Elegant and fresh and pure, never heavy. This wine shows the freshest aspect of Morgon with fine tannins and a clear granitic soil signature. Accessible when young with lovely fine and soft texture yet with enough stuffing and sense of place to age quite classically for 5 or more years.