Historically a land of reds, today Chassagne-Montrachet is among the absolute pinnacles of Chardonnay. More structured and austere wines than its neighbors Puligny and Meursault, with a distinct and deep personality.
From “bare mountains” to myth
In the Middle Ages the area was called Mont Rachet, “bare mountain.” Thus appeared to the traveler’s eye. A seemingly poor territory, whose unparalleled potential was exploited mainly (and as usual, I would say) by church communities. Today it is one of the symbolic places of great white Burgundy.
Stylistic identity: more structure, less immediacy
The Chassagne-Montrachet wines sit-as heterozygous siblings-between the freshness of Puligny and the roundness of Meursault, but with a distinctive trait: more structure and a certain austerity. They are whites that take time, capable of combining depth and tension.
A mosaic of soils
The range covers a relatively “large” area, no more than 18 hectares, and has considerable geological variety even among contiguous plots. Most of the hilly terrain is very old. The elevation is between 220 and 325 meters. This fragmentation contributes to the complexity of the wines.
Historically devoted to reds, over time-not only because of market demand but precisely because of its achievements-it has become home to white wines, Chardonnay above all, attaining fame and prestige at the top of wine classifications.
The realm of grand cru
Chassagne shares with Puligny some of the world’s most celebrated Grand Crus: Bâtard-Montrachet, Bienvenues-Bâtard-Montrachet, Criots-Bâtard-Montrachet and Chevalier-Montrachet, as well as the legendary Montrachet. A heritage that represents the global qualitative summit of white wines.
But we will discuss these in a future article.
Chassagne-Montrachet Premier Cru Les Baudines 2017 Pierre Yves Colin
Score: 96/100
Average price: € 300,00
Tiny producer who is quickly climbing the heights of world fame for rare technique and skill. Les Baudines is a tiny parcel where the vines are placed at the highest altitudes in the entire district.
100% Chardonnay. Barrique for 18 months
Relatively intense yellow. Original aromas of dried cereals, wild flowers, white fruit and citrus. Elegant and deep mouthfeel, with balance between structure and acid momentum, long and harmonious, almost musical closure.
Chassagne-Montrachet Premier Cru Les Chaumées 2012 Bruno Colin
Score: 94/100
Average price: € 150,00
After taking his first steps on the Michel Colin-Deleger family estate, Bruno Colin took the reins of his winery in 2003 and produced his first vintage in 2004.
100% Chardonnay. 350 l barrels for 12 months (15-20% new)
Pale golden yellow. Refined aromas with delicate floral notes of elderberry, white currant, rennet apple and powder. Taste initially delicate, then more articulate, with balsamic returns and excellent persistence.
Chassagne-Montrachet Premier Cru Boudriotte 2005 Domaine Ramonet
Score: 96/100
Average price: € 380,00
Noël and Jean Claude Ramonet are now in charge of this 17-hectare property created in 1920 by their grandfather Pierre Ramonet, an iconic figure in Burgundy.
100% Chardonnay. Barrique.
Light golden and bright without chromatic subsidence despite age. Ample aromas of white fruit and flowers (jasmine, gerbera): a real bouquet of flowers transferred to the glass. Flirtatious spicy side note, as well as light balsamic puffs. Mouth mineral, fresh and fragrant, with superb length and delicious floral returns of elderflower.
Chassagne-Montrachet Premier Cru Morgeot Très Vieilles Vignes 2012 Bernard Dugat-Py
Score: 96/100
Average price: € 500,00
When a red wine super-specialist, almost a legend in Gevrey Chambertin, devotes himself to producing whites of this level, it becomes clear how the art of winemaking is a key component in achieving these results.
100% Chardonnay. Barrique.
Deep gold color. Rich nose of ripe, exotic (passion fruit) and yellow fruit (melon, peach). Mouth powerful and structured, almost red-like, with important softness and good acid thrust.
Chassagne-Montrachet Premier Cru Clos de Cailleret Monopole 2014 Domaine Ramonet
Score: 97/100
Average price: € 400,00
Rare Monopole from one of the world’s largest and most impressive producers of white wines.
100% Chardonnay. Barrique.
Bright yellow with green highlights. Intense aromas of flowers (gerbera, daisy, poppy), fine spices and background balsamic hints. Explodes in the mouth with intense but well-balanced sensations of great persistence.
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