Bourgogne Chardonnay Domaine de Montille 2018

Description

Domaine de Montille is a first-class Côte de Beaune domaine and one which is producing some of the purest expressions of Pinot Noir to be found in Burgundy today. The domaine was developed by Hubert de Montille, a prominent Dijon lawyer, who inherited 2.5 hectares of vineyards in Volnay in 1951 and most of the production was sold in bulk to négociants. Over the years he acquired further parcels in Volnay, as well as 4 hectares in Pommard, taking his total holdings to just short of 17 hectares.

Today the domaine is run by his son Etienne. The winemaking is traditional - partial destemming followed by a relatively long maceration period. The wines are aged in oak barriques (20-30% new) and are bottled unfiltered. These are wonderfully elegant, harmonious wines and red wines require at least five years of bottle ageing to show at their very best.

The domaine has recently been considerably extended by purchases of vineyards in Beaune, Corton, and (from 2005) the Cote de Nuits, including some marvellous Vosne-Romanee Les Malconsorts. There are also some fine holdings of white wine vineyards, especially Puligny-Montrachet Les Caillerets.

The 2018 Bourgogne Blanc comes from vineyards acquired in 2011/2012 and located near Château de Puligny-Montrachet, and is vinified in 600-liter barrels. It has a light bouquet with scents of green apple and a touch of seawater developing with aeration. The palate is steely on the entry with a fine bead of acidity. There is good tension here, and a briskly citric, lightly spiced finish. Neal Martin, Vinous