Chardonnay.
Colour: pale gold with green reflections.
Nose: very complex mineral with notes of praline and exotic fruits.
Palate: very delicious, reminiscent of mango and hazelnut. The finish is long and suggests a very promising wine.
Goes perfectly with seafood, notably oysters and Norway lobsters, but also grilled fish, veal blanquette and goat cheeses.
Serve ideally at a temperature of 14°C (57°F.)
Very pleasant in its freshness and minerality, this premier cru will express its full potential up to 4 to 6 years after its vintage.
On the left bank of the Serein, nestled between the "Bois des Lys" and "Broques de Biques", the 37 hectares of the "Montmains" climate rise above a hillside at a low altitude. The grapes from which this cuvée comes come from a plot known for its marly profile and another cultivated on stonier soil. "Montmains" brings together, under its flag-bearer banner, itself as well as the Climats "Butteaux" et "Forêts". Together they cover approximately 118 hectares. This long climate is oriented South-East/North-East and benefits from the sun in the early hours of the day. From 1537, several spellings were used to designate this Climate, such as "Montméen" or "Montmoyen". Montmains simply designates the mountain which is at an intermediate altitude, between two higher coasts.
The grapes were brought in as musts and underwent a slow pneumatic pressing followed by a very cold static settling before alcoholic fermentation, which lasted 7-10 days in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks (18 to 20°C).
After 3 days, 20% of the juice was racked into barrels. Aged for 6 months on its lees, with frequent pumping over. 100% malolactic fermentation. Light filtration before bottling.
The year 2024 in Burgundy was marked by extreme weather conditions, with excessive rainfall and a significant lack of sunshine. These factors led to heavy disease pressure, particularly downy mildew, complicating the work of the winegrowers. Frost and hail also caused significant damage, particularly in regions such as Chablis and Auxerrois.
Yields were severely affected, with drops of up to 70% in some areas. The Côte Chalonnaise held up better, with more limited losses. Overall, volumes are well below the usual average, a reminder of the difficult harvests in 2021.
The late harvest necessitated rigorous sorting to preserve quality. Despite the challenges, the grapes harvested reached good ripeness thanks to a sunny spell in September. The reds stand out for their richness and concentration, comparable to great vintages such as 2010. The elegant whites are reminiscent of 2022.
Initial tastings reveal promising wines, with concentrated aromas and a fine structure. Although limited in quantity, this vintage promises to be a qualitative success.
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