Jamessuckling.com | JS 100
Published: Dec 28, 2022

This chardonnay masterpiece is currently like a fully wound Breguet watch, but the extremely subtle nose of citrus, wild herbs and flowers is already breathtaking. Mind-blowing concentration, purity and precision on the generous but by no means massive palate. The really extraordinary thing is the intense crushed-stone minerality that's married to sensual creaminess on the mid-palate, then asserts itself ever more singularly at the finish, until it's completely overwhelming. From 2.33 hecatres of vineyards on all four terraces of this famous site. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.

The Wine Advocate | RP 93-95
Published: Jan 20, 2022

The 2020 Chevalier-Montrachet Grand Cru opens in the glass with notes of citrus oil, musky peach, tangerine, nutmeg and buttered popcorn. Medium to full-bodied, satiny and incisive, it's chiseled and penetrating, with a tightly wound core of fruit and a racy spine of acidity. As readers will remember, this bottling hails from the three terraces on the hillside above Bouchard's La Cabotte, their bottling from the latter which abuts Montrachet itself -being more muscular and powerful, whereas this cuvee is finer-boned and more ethereal.

Winemaker

According to the legend, the Lord of Montrachet shared his land out between his two sons. One became a Chevalier during the crusades and the other, illegitimate, is supposed to have given his name to Batard-Montrachet. Chevalier-Montrachet forms a horizontal strip at the top of the upper part of Montrachet and is made up of four terraces with different sub-soils, giving four different facets to this exceptional Grand Cru. During the 19th century, we acquired several vineyards and have now become the main owner and the only producer with vineyards on all four terraces.

TASTING NOTE: Distinguished bouquet, with floral and fruit aromas as well as a toasted note. Complex and rich, without the least heaviness, this wine is elegance itself. Very good ageing potential.

FOOD/WINE PAIRING: Fish dishes in sauce, foie gras, elegant starters.

SERVING TEMPERATURE: Between 12C to 14C

AGEING POTENTIAL: 7 to 10 years and more

HARVEST: manual, in small cases of 13 kg. Careful manual sorting of each grape.

VINIFICATION: The pressing takes place in two phases: evacuation of the first juice, then pressing in two-hourly cycles.

MATURING: 12 to 13 months in French oak, with up to 15% new oak, depending on the vintage.

AGEING: The cellars located in the Bastions of the ancient Chateau de Beaune offer ideal ambient conditions. Thanks to their natural hygrometry and constant temperatures, the Grands Crus enjoy from their first youth an environment that is perfectly adapted to tranquil ageing.

GRAPE VARIETY: Chardonnay

EXPOSITION: East-Southeast

SOIL OF THE APPELATION: A lot of limestone, marly on stony subsoil

TOTAL SURFACE OF THE APPELATION IN PRODUCTION:7.59 hectares

DOMAIN SURFACE IN PRODUCTION: 2.33 hectares