Chassagne Montrachet 2024 Domaine Bertrand Bachelet

The Chassagne-Montrachet Blanc 2024 from Domaine Bertrand Bachelet is one of the most appealing and accessible cuvées from the domaine, drawn from two complementary lieux-dits whose characteristic soils define Chassagne-Montrachet among all the appellations of the Côte de Beaune. Golden-hued in colour, with a soft floral nose carrying notes of spice. On the palate, fine maturity combining freshness and tension. Young vigneron Bertrand Bachelet brings a quiet confidence that shines clearly through his wines. His creations reflect his character, charming, sincere and approachable, with an engaging transparency and subtle depth.

Terroir and vines

Chassagne-Montrachet sits in the southern section of the Côte de Beaune and produces predominantly white wines. The vineyard faces east, with highly variable soils marked by iron oxide, giving the earth a characteristic brown-red hue. This Chassagne-Montrachet blanc is 100% Chardonnay, from the lieux-dits La Canière and Les Lombardes, on clay-limestone soil with ferric inclusions. These iron oxides, colouring the soil brown-red, give the Chardonnay a depth, mineral richness and aromatic complexity that distinguish Chassagne's whites from their Meursault and Puligny neighbours. Upon arriving at the winery, grapes are pressed immediately without prior crushing. After gentle pressing and light settling, the must goes straight into barrel. Ageing lasts 16 months, including 12 months in various wooden vessels, most commonly the traditional Burgundy pièce of 228 litres, with 20% new oak.

Tasting profile

Notes of herbal tea, flowers and spice on the nose lead into an ample, mature palate supported by fine freshness and acidity. Remarkable harmony. This splendid white expresses itself through citrus, roasted hazelnut and hawthorn aromas. Supple yet vibrant with tension, this Chassagne-Montrachet exemplifies balance. In the 2024 vintage, marked by natural freshness and well-preserved natural acidity, the wine expresses with striking vitality and directness the ferruginous minerality of its two lieux-dits. The finish is taut, fresh and carries pleasing aromatic persistence. Drink over the next 5 years.

The domaine

Bertrand Bachelet, a young vigneron established in 2011, runs this 13 hectare domaine spanning from Maranges to Pommard. Reasoned viticulture and cordon de Royat pruning are standard practice here. Great importance is placed on soil work to best express each terroir. From pruning through harvest, all work is done by hand. Vinification remains traditional and minimalist, to reveal the singularity and complexity of each terroir.

Food pairings

Pair with fish, particularly salmon, or white meat in sauce, poultry or veal. It also works beautifully with scallops in chive cream, roasted turbot with beurre blanc, sole meunière, asparagus and parmesan risotto, or soft-paste cheese like Chaource. Serve between 10 and 12°C to reveal all the floral freshness and mineral richness of a Chassagne-Montrachet blanc made with care and sincerity.