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Location and terroir
Chassagne-Montrachet is a Burgundy appellation d’origine contrôlée located in the southern Côte de Beaune, Côte d’Or, in the Burgundy vineyards.
This 305-hectare appellation includes climats in the “Village” appellation and 57 in the “Premier Cru” appellation. In Burgundy, the “Premier Cru” and “Grand Cru” appellations are not awarded on the basis of a classification, as in Bordeaux, but according to the parcel of land, known as the “climat”, from which the grapes come. The “Premiers Crus” and “Grands Crus” are very often located on hillsides, above the departmental road that crosses the Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune. The slope gives the grapes better exposure and therefore higher concentrations during ripening. It also minimizes the risk of frost, as the cold descends. The “Village” appellations are located around the village that gives its name to the appellation, on the other side of the departmental road, in the plain.
The appellation’s reputation is due in no small part to the fact that it shares its territory with Puligny, which produces some of the world’s most sought-after white wines: the grands-crus of Montrachet, Bâtard-Montrachet and Criots-Bâtard-Montrachet.
The brown, stony clay-limestone soil allows the Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes to flourish. The rock face is also due to the numerous marble quarries in the appellation. These quarries, which produce pink and beige slabs, were used in the construction of the Trocadero and the Louvre Pyramid!
History
Like the rest of the Côte de Beaune and Côte de Nuits, Chassagne-Montrachet owes its viticultural development to the monks of the Cîteaux abbey around the 10th century. In 1395, Philippe le Hardi, then Duke of Burgundy, decided to improve the quality of his duchy’s wines by banning the “disloyal gamay” grape variety and decreeing single-varietal viticulture, which is still in force today: pinot noir for reds and chardonnay for whites!
Wines
White Chassagne Montrachet has a golden color with green highlights. The nose develops notes of hawthorn, acacia, honeysuckle and hazelnut. Depending on barrel ageing, the wine may have brioche, toast or vanilla notes. On the palate, the attack is often lively and fresh. Winemaking choices will bring more or less fat, roundness and length to this wine. With age, it will become smoother, developing notes of honey and ripe pears.
It goes well with tasty fish, such as salmon, and is an undeniable ally of Asian-style fish dishes. Premier Crus” are the perfect accompaniment to lobster or crayfish.
Chassagne-Montrachet red has a lively color with purple highlights. The nose reveals aromas of red berries such as Morello cherry, cherry and wild strawberry, complemented by spicy notes. On the palate, the texture is luscious, with tannins that are sometimes a little austere when young, but which reveal a concentrated, flavorful structure with age. Barrel ageing, at the winemaker’s discretion, can also bring more roundness and tannins to the wine, as well as aromas that evolve with age towards notes of cloves and sometimes truffles.
This wine goes perfectly with roast poultry or poultry in sauce. The “Premiers Crus”, which are often fuller, go wonderfully with fine cuts of beef.
Vintage 2015
A perfect vintage, simply perfect! Flowering comes early, at the beginning of June, thanks to clement weather, and everything follows on very quickly: the harvest begins at the end of August, to avoid over-ripening! The hot, dry summer weather ensured that the grapes were in perfect health, but reduced yields, concentrating the grapes even more.
The result is sublime: the wines have a rare delicacy and intensity, but retain a certain acidity, ensuring a fine balance.
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