Chassagne-Montrachet 2018 is a year to remember in the Burgundy wine region of France. This Grand Cru appellation, created in 1937, is renowned for its Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines. Here is a closer look at the vintage 2018 release from this prestigious terroir.
The 2018 vintage was an excellent year for the Chassagne-Montrachet appellation. The weather conditions were perfect for grape production: warm days with plenty of sunshine and rain at just the right times. This allowed the grapes to ripen slowly and evenly, resulting in balanced flavors and aromas.
The white wines of Chassagne-Montrachet 2018 have a beautiful golden hue with intense aromas of honey, ripe pear, acacia flower, verbena, and hazelnut. On the palate you can expect a creamy texture with notes of lemon zest, almond paste, and juicy peach. The finish is long-lasting with subtle hints of toast and minerality.
The red wines of this vintage are also highly acclaimed by winemakers and critics alike. They have an intense ruby color with aromas of cherry, wild strawberry, gooseberry, raspberry, dried figs, tobacco leaves and forest floor notes. On the palate you can expect flavors of plum jam, blackberry compote and baking spices that are wrapped in velvety tannins for a very well balanced experience that lingers on your taste buds for minutes after each sip.
Chassagne-Montrachet 2018 is an outstanding vintage from this Grand Cru region that will not disappoint thoe who are seeking out top quality wines from Burgundy's Côte de Beaune sub-region. Enjoy its rich complexity now or cellar it away to enjoy it later!
The High Cost of Montrachet Wine
Montrachet wine is one of the most expensive wines in the world due to its Grand Cru status and its long history. The Montrachet vineyard, located in the southern part of Burgundy, France, dates back to at least the 1300s. It is surrounded by other prestigious vineyards such as Chevalier-Montrachet and Bâtard-Montrachet, which further lend prestige to the area. In addition, the vineyard is very small (only about 15 hectares in total) and yields small harvests of low acidity grapes with high sugar content giving it a unique flavor profile. Furthermore, Montrachet wines are highly sought after both for their quality and rarity. This makes them extremely valuable and threfore much more expensive than other wines from the same region.
Characteristics of Chassagne-Montrachet Wine
Chassagne-Montrachet is a village in the Côte de Beaune sub-region of Burgundy and a communal appellation, created in 1937. It produces both red and white wines, with the output ratio of red to white being roughly 35:65. The reds are made from Pinot Noir grapes and the whites from Chardonnay grapes. The wines from this appellation are renowned for their complexity and balance, with many of them considered aong the finest expressions of Burgundy wine. They tend to be light-bodied yet full-flavored, with aromas and flavors of citrus, stone fruit, mineral, and spice. As a result of its high quality and excellent reputation, Chassagne-Montrachet is one of the most sought after Burgundy wines.
Is Chassagne-Montrachet a Grand Cru?
No, Chassagne-Montrachet is not a Grand Cru. It is an AOC (Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée) in the Côte de Beaune sub-region of Burgundy. Chassagne-Montrachet has three Grand Cru vineyards within its boundaries: Montrachet, Bâtard-Montrachet and Criots-Bâtard-Montrachet, and 50 Premier Cru vineyards. The main grape variety of the region is Chardonnay, with some plantings of Pinot Noir as well. These Grand and Premier Cru wines from Chassagne-Montrachet are highly sought after and have gained global recognition for teir quality and complexity.
Tasting Notes for Chassagne-Montrachet
Chassagne-Montrachet is a renowned Burgundy wine, kown for its complexity and richness in flavor. The white wines offer a delightful mix of aromas, including honey, ripe pear, mayflower, acacia, honeysuckle, verbena and hazelnut. On the palate you can expect a balanced profile with notes of lemon zest and minerals combined with hints of honey. The red wines feature bright fruit flavors such as cherry, wild strawberry, gooseberry and raspberry. Both whites and reds have an underlying earthiness with subtle hints of spice that linger on the palate. Overall Chassagne-Montrachet is an elegant wine that will appeal to any connoisseur.
The Cost of a Bottle of Montrachet
A bottle of Montrachet can typically cost anywhere from $170 to $2900, depending on the vintage. Some of the rarer vintages can be priced even higher. Montrachet wines are renowned for thir richness and structure, making them a luxurious addition to any wine cellar.
Differences Between Puligny-Montrachet and Chassagne-Montrachet
Puligny-Montrachet and Chassagne-Montrachet are two of the finest white wines of the Burgundy region in France. While they share a similar terroir, their distinct characteristics set them apart.
Puligny-Montrachet is renowned for its elegant structure, with a crisp yet delicate acidity and subtle notes of citrus and minerals. It has an intense floral bouquet, with flavors of peach, apricot, and honey. Its minerality gves it complexity and length on the palate.
Chassagne-Montrachet is generally more substantial than Puligny-Montrachet, with a fuller body and more overt fruit flavors such as pear, apple, and melon. It has a rounder mouthfeel and slightly less pronounced acidity than Puligny-Montrachet. Its minerality is less prominent but it has an intense aroma of white flowers and spices.
Ultimately, the differences beteen these two wines are largely dependent on the winemaking style used to produce them. Both offer an excellent expression of Burgundy's terroir; however, each will have its own distinct flavor profile that can be appreciated for its individual qualities.
Is Chassagne-Montrachet a Premier Cru?
Yes, Chassagne-Montrachet is a premier cru. It is an appellation of Burgundy, and the wines made from grapes grown in officially recognized Premier Cru vineyards are permitted to bear the specific climat name on their labels. These wines may be either white (made from Chardonnay), or red (made from Pinot Noir). The terroir of Premier Cru vineyards within this appellation produce some of the highest quality wines in Burgundy and are highly sought after by wine connoisseurs.
Pairing Food with Montrachet Wine
A Montrachet is a dry white wine from the Burgundy region of France, and it pairs best with food that has a light flavor to complement its bright acidity. Aged cow's cheese such as Mimolette pairs perfectly with this type of white wine. Other great pairings include almond grilled trout, American plaice, Arctic charr fillets, asparagus with morel mushrooms, roasted chicken with herbs, veal medallions in a light cream sauce, and goat cheese salad. Seafood dishes like salmon tartare or seared scallops are also excellent choices for Montrachet. For vegetarians, creamy risotto or vegetable tarts make wonderful accompaniments to this classic white wine.
Conclusion
Chassagne-Montrachet 2018 is a high quality wine that offers a unique flavor. Its Grand Cru status and the fact that it is one of the oldest in the area makes it pricier than wines from other vineyards in Burgundy. The white wines have notes of honey, ripe pear, mayflower, acacia, honeysuckle, verbena and hazelnut, while the red wines provide hints of cherry, wild strawberry, gooseberry and raspberry. This vintage offers an exquisite blend of flavors to suit all palates and is definitely worth a try for those who are looking for an indulgent experience.
