Chardonnay
75cl * 13.0% ABV * Côte de Beaune, Burgundy, France
Domaine Bernard Moreau is an esteemed, historic Burgundian estate in the village of Chassagne-Montrachet. A few years ago, the vineyards were split between brothers Alex and Benoit. Since the 2021 vintage, Alex Moreau has been producing wines such as this under his own label.
True to the legacy of Domaine Bernard Moreau, Alex has maintained the same winemaking approach, adhering to organic and bio-dynamic principles. His 2022 Chassagne-Montrachet is a terroir-driven wine, produced from Chardonnay fruit across approx. 9 plots of well-established vines, with an average age of 40yrs. The fruit from the sloping, clay soils in the central part of the finage give the wine fullness and texture, balanced out by the finesse of the fruit from the stoney soils near Puligny-Montrachet.
Of this particular vintage, he said “2022 is my 24th vintage and thus I am starting to have a certain amount of perspective. But even 24 years-worth doesn’t always prepare you for the surprises that come with making wine in Burgundy. What I mean is that 2022 was really hot and really dry yet the wines, stylistically speaking, do not seem to be a product of those growing conditions. They’re wonderfully fresh and refreshing. To be sure, they’re ripe but quite classic in style.”
The nose shows rosemary, apples and pears with a hint of orange blossom and honeysuckle sweetness. On the palate, there is a nutty, brioche element, alongside bright citrus fruits. It is silky, yet possessing volume and texture. The finish is long, as one would expect of a good Chassagne-Montrachet. This wine would pair brilliantly with sea-bass, grilled prawns, veal cutlets Milanese, or grilled lobster with citrus butter.
Drink now-2037. Ideally, decant before serving at 12 degrees.
Moreau’s production has diminished to the extent that space is no longer a constraint, meaning that he can afford the 2022 Chassagne-Montrachet Blanc a longer élevage on the lees than was hitherto the case. The wine is shaping up nicely, revealing aromas of pear, green apple, white flowers and toasted nuts, followed by a medium to full-bodied, lively and attractively complete palate. 89-91pts - William Kelley, The Wine Advocate