Chassagne-Montrachet Blanc AOC 2023

Wine Description for Chassagne-Montrachet Blanc AOC 2023 by Thomas Morey

Colour & Appearance

Medium straw yellow, clear and luminous – a classic expression of a young Chassagne-Montrachet.

Nose

Sensual and mature, this 2023 presents itself with a subtle gunflint reduction, which lends the wine complexity without dominating it. Fine spice notes of clove and cinnamon dance around white-fleshed fruits, with peach particularly prominent. A hint of wood integrates perfectly into the aromatic picture – characteristic of the place and wonderfully balanced.

Palate

Elegant and juicy, with silky density and clear structure. The warmth of the vintage reveals itself in a rounded fullness, yet is counterbalanced by pleasant tension. Citric notes, a touch of pineapple, that fine gunflint reduction again and subtle wood spice. The minerality feels lightly prickling, the body precisely honed. Plenty of juice, lovely length – a textbook example of a Village-level Chassagne.

Finish

Persistent and fresh with fine minerality that enlivens the palate and invites the next sip.

Terroir & Origin

The cornerstone is the parcel Les Houillères, complemented by small portions from En Journoblot and declassified Premier Crus – nine parcels in total. Les Houillères lies as an extension of the renowned vineyard site Les Enceignères on flat, deep soils composed of a red clay-limestone mixture. The combination of white and red soils, young and old vines creates a perfect reflection of the local character of Chassagne-Montrachet.

Grape Variety & Vinification

100% Chardonnay from a Sélection Massale planted in 1989. Fermentation with indigenous yeasts in neutral barrel and tank, spontaneous malolactic fermentation, ageing on the lees without bâtonnage. Approximately 20% new oak, minimal sulphur use (maximum 35 mg/l) – a purist, terroir-focused vinification.

Food Pairing Suggestions

Scallops with butter, turbot in cream sauce, lobster or langoustines, veal cutlet with morels, aged Comté or Beaufort. The wine also harmonises beautifully with poultry in cream sauce.

Special Characteristics

A vintage-typical 2023 that combines the warmth of the year with Burgundian finesse. Thomas Morey’s minimalist intervention approach and the assemblage of various terroirs create a wine of remarkable complexity at Village level.