Nestled in the heart of Burgundy, Chassagne-Montrachet is a haven for wine lovers. A visit to this village, famous for its complex Chardonnays, is a journey into the essence of Burgundy’s wine-making legacy. I had the opportunity to step into the world of Domaine Vincent Bachelet in Chassagne-Montrachet during my latest visit and I wanted to share my experience with you.
Menu
Introduction
The Visit
The Wines
Overall Thoughts
Introduction
The Bachelet family, originally from Maranges, has been producing fantastic Burgundy wines for three generations. Vincent Bachelet is the latest in the family line to continue the tradition. In 2008, he settled in Chassagne-Montrachet, into a splendid 18th century estate with its spectacular vaulted cellars along the prestigious route des grands vins.
The estate extends over 17 hectares mainly in the Côte de Beaune. The Maranges (vineyard pictured in the photo), Santenay, Chassagne-Montrachet, Saint-Aubin, Puligny-Montrachet, Meursault, Pommard, and Gevrey-Chambertin. The grape varieties are 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay.
His philosophy when it comes to viticulture is sustainable and simple: high proportion of old vines, controlled yields, manual harvesting, rigorous sorting of the grapes, and minimal interventionist vinification.
The Visit
The visit to Vincent Bachelet in Chassagne-Montrachet started with a very generous tasting in their 17th century Cisterian cellar. Cisterian monks are the original winemakers of the region; their wines trumpeted by the Dukes of Bourgogne across Europe. But more about the actual tastings below.
The underground expanse continues next door. The 18th century vaulted cellars are filled with hundreds of oak barrels — an impressive sight to behold. Each year, new barrels replace part of the fleet.
A new cuverie (vat room) has recently been built in order to vinify in optimal conditions, in particular by separating red wines from white wines.
Something that particularly interests me is the experimentation room, where new wine-making methods and styles are being tested by the team! I wish I could be there to try the finished results. Experimenting is becoming incredibly important in the traditional wine world as climate change affects the terroirs.
The Wines
The wine tasting was generous to say the least! We tried most of their range, which was something around a dozen wines. For brevity, these are my notes of the wines we are bringing home! Note that only the 2022 vintage is available, so they will need to be aged for another few years.
Saint Aubin 1er Cru Sentier du Clos Blanc 2022
Mineral, nutty (think hazelnuts), and slightly floral, this elegant expression of Saint Aubin strikes the perfect balance between fresh and gourmande. It is deliciously round in mouth and a really good value for the price. I’m looking forward to having this alongside fish.
Maranges 1er Cru La Fussière Blanc 2022
While Maranges is known mostly for reds, the whites are a must-try. This gem is lively and refreshing with notes of lemon, pink grapefruit, white flowers. The mouth is invigorating and buttery at the same time. Seriously tasty.
Maranges 1er Cru La Fussière Vielles Vignes Rouge 2022
A perfect expression of Maranges 1er Cru. Gourmet and bright, it has delicious aromas of red fruits, spices, and violet. Absolutely elegant in mouth with light tannins. Looking forward to opening a bottle in a few years!
Chassagne-Montrachet Les Benoîtes Rouge 2022
Back in the day, Chassagne-Montrachet was planted mostly with Pinot Noir. The region switched to Chardonnay in the 1980s when demand for Burgundy whites exploded. Today, red Chassagne-Montrachets are few and far between, so it is a treat to find them!
Spicy, fruity (raspberry, strawberry), violet, and light earthiness. This delicate and elegant red comes from 50 year old vines. Although already a pleasure to drink, I’m looking forward to sipping this in a few years alongside game meat!
Bonus: Chassagne-Montrachet Blanc 2018
This one is actually already in our cellar but I wanted to include it too. Floral and buttery, it is a gourmande white that is a real show-stopper. Huge fan!
Overall Thoughts
Overall, Vincent Bachelet in Chassagne-Montrachet is a must-visit and must-try. Exceptional wines at accessible prices from a passionate wine-maker in a beautiful estate. It really checks off the boxes and I can’t recommend this enough!
