Montagny Les Carlins 2024 Chateau de Chamilly

Montagny Les Carlins 2024 from Château de Chamilly is the latest and promising addition to this twelve-generation family domaine's Côte Chalonnaise range. A sharp, mineral new terroir expression that immediately sets this village wine apart from its richer, more opulent neighbours. More incisive and linear than Les Burnins, this cuvée embodies the most mineral, most taut face of Montagny Chardonnay, a character that will establish itself as a valued reference in the château's portfolio.

The terroir and vineyard

Montagny is the southernmost of the four great Côte Chalonnaise appellations, and the only one entirely devoted to white Chardonnay, no red vines in its 300 hectares. This hilly, east and south-east facing terroir sits on argilo-calcareous soils whose geology echoes Chablis: fossil-rich calcaires à chailles that are poor, well-drained, and naturally mineral-rich. These gifts confer on Chardonnay a freshness, tension, and precision instantly recognizable. The lieu-dit Les Carlins, newly added to the domaine's range, stands apart through markedly calcareous composition that gives it a more mineral, more carved character than its neighbouring Les Burnins, which is deeper and more generous. Viticulture is reasoned and in organic conversion since 2021, reflecting the family's ethical commitment. Harvesting is by hand, transported in small-volume containers. Winemaking is precise and faithful to domaine philosophy: 12 to 24 hours settling, temperature-controlled fermentation, ageing in Burgundian barrels with measured new wood to preserve the wine's natural frankness and minerality.

Tasting profile

The robe is pale gold with green glints, clear and crystalline. The nose strikes with immediate freshness and precision, more taut and mineral than other domaine Montagnys: green lemon, grapefruit, and crisp green apple open with striking frankness and clarity, accompanied by delicate white flower notes and fine, precise calcareous minerality that directly echoes Chablis Chardonnays on Kimmeridgian terroir. Oak is discreet and well-integrated, in service of minerality rather than richness. On the palate, tension is paramount: lively, well-knit natural acidity structures a light, precise matter, with a clean, salivating texture that extends through a beautiful, stony, citrus-edged finish. Less fat and roundness than Les Burnins, more verticality, precision, and calcareous minerality; a clearly different, complementary style that offers another reading of Montagny Chardonnay.

The domaine

Former residence of the Marquis de Chamilly, founded in the 17th century, Château de Chamilly has belonged to the Desfontaine family since the early 19th century, now managed by Véronique and her sons Xavier and Arnaud. The 32-hectare domaine spans Bourgogne, Mercurey, Montagny, and Bouzeron appellations, equally split between white and red wines, with a Montagny range of remarkable diversity and coherence.

Food pairings

This Montagny Les Carlins pairs beautifully with fine oysters, steamed scallops, citrus-dressed bar tartare, sole meunière, white asparagus with mousseline sauce, or fresh goat cheese with herbs. Its minerality and natural tension also make it an elegant, refined aperitif wine. Served between 10 and 12 °C, it reveals the full stony precision and natural freshness of Chardonnay from Montagny in its most mineral, most taut expression.