Au Pied du Mont Chauve : Chassagne-Montrachet 1er cru "Les Chenevottes" 2021

Tasting characteristics and advice for the Chassagne-Montrachet 1er cru "Les Chenevottes" 2021 from Au Pied du Mont Chauve

Tasting

Appearance

The wine displays a pale golden-yellow color, reflecting both its youth and its well-managed aging.

Nose

The nose reveals fine aromatic complexity, with notes of stone fruit and citrus. Aromas of white peach and nectarine mingle with mineral touches that are characteristic of the terroir. A light oaky presence brings vanilla and toasty nuances that will integrate further over time.

Palate

On the palate, this wine charms with its silky texture and vibrant energy. Its mineral structure comes through fully, supported by a lovely freshness that balances the richness of the fruit. The finish lingers elegantly, leaving an impression of purity and remarkable precision.

Food and wine pairings

This Chassagne-Montrachet 1er cru is an ideal match for grilled or pan-seared fish, especially salmon. It also pairs beautifully with shellfish such as lobster or grilled langoustines. Roast poultry served with a creamy sauce, as well as aged cheeses like Comté, also make excellent pairings.

Serving and cellaring

This Chassagne-Montrachet 1er cru "Les Chenevottes" 2021 can be enjoyed now and will continue to evolve through around 2032. It is recommended to cellar it for one to two more years to allow better integration of the oaky notes. Serve at a temperature between 10 and 12°C.

A biodynamic Chassagne-Montrachet Premier Cru of rare elegance

The estate
Daughter of one of Burgundy’s greatest wine families, Francine Picard took over in the late 1990s the estate historically run by her father. The Domaine Au Pied du Mont Chauve spans the villages of Chassagne-Montrachet, of Puligny-Montrachet and of Saint-Aubin, at the heart of some of the finest climats and terroirs of wine-growing Burgundy.

With a desire to create synergy between the land and the wines, Francine Picard farms her parcels in accordance with biodynamic principles and applies, with passion and extreme attention to detail, herself to producing wines that reflect the identity of their terroir.

From a 110-hectare vineyard worked using “agro-ecology”, the chardonnay and pinot noir of Domaine Au Pied du Mont Chauve are recognized for their quality, precision and elegance.

Since May 2019, Antoine Lepetit de la Bigne, a specialist in biodynamic viticulture, has joined the team at this illustrious Burgundian estate as Technical Director. 

The vineyard

The climat Les Chenevottes lies at the foot of the Mont-Rachet hillside, directly opposite the prestigious Grand Cru Le Montrachet. This Premier Cru parcel in Chassagne-Montrachet benefits from a favorable east-facing exposure, ensuring optimal morning sunlight and the circulation of cool air throughout the day. The soils are composed of clay and limestone, including the characteristic Chassagne stone that gives the wines a distinctive minerality. Au Pied du Mont Chauve owns 0.61 hectares in this climat. The name "Les Chenevottes" comes from "Chenevières", referring to former hemp-growing areas, bearing witness to the site’s long agricultural history.

The vintage

The 2021 vintage proved particularly demanding in Burgundy. Spring frosts in April significantly reduced yields in certain areas. Unstable weather conditions required heightened vigilance in the vineyard, with the emergence of botrytis-related diseases that called for rigorous selection at harvest. Despite these challenges, the vintage delivered lovely freshness and compelling aromatic complexity for producers who successfully managed these delicate conditions. Average yields for Au Pied du Mont Chauve whites reached around 16 hectoliters per hectare.

Winemaking and aging

The grapes for the Chassagne-Montrachet 1er cru "Les Chenevottes" 2021 are pressed directly after harvest. After overnight settling, the musts are transferred into barrels for fermentation. The estate uses 350-liter barrels and a few foudres rather than the traditional 228-liter Burgundian pièces, in order to modulate the influence of oak according to the characteristics of each parcel. Aging on lees was particularly long for this vintage, allowing aromatic complexity to develop. Under the direction of Alice Evrard, head of winemaking, the estate favors a natural approach.

Grape variety

100% chardonnay