Domaine du Cellier aux Moines : Chassagne-Montrachet 1er cru "Les Chaumées" 2018

A Chassagne-Montrachet 1^er Cru of elegance and aromatic finesse

The estate

Domaine du Cellier aux Moines was founded in 1130 by the Cistercian monks of the Abbaye de la Ferté. These monks were the first to build the famous clos walls enclosing the vineyards of Burgundy. Since 2004, the Pascal family has successfully restored the estate to its former glory.
Extensive plot-by-plot work and a replanting programme have been under way since 2006-2008 to create a fruitful harmony between soil and vine.
Almost all of the estate's wines are currently undergoing both organic and biodynamic certification.

The vineyard

Chassagne-Montrachet Premier Cru les Chaumées 2018 from Domaine du Cellier aux Moines comes from a 22-are plot on a climat overlooking the northern part of the Chassagne-Montrachet vineyard. Planted in 1988, the vines grow at just under 300 metres above sea level on shallow, stony, sloping soils that ensure optimal ripening of the berries. The vineyard has been farmed biodynamically since 2017.

The vintage

Ideal conditions throughout the year, particularly during the summer, allowed the grapes to reach exceptional levels of ripeness and quality.
An understanding of the vineyard refined over successive vintages, the rigorous practice of biodynamics for the second year running and extensive plot-by-plot work made it possible to harvest healthy, fully ripe grapes of remarkable balance.

Winemaking and ageing

The grapes are sorted first in the vineyard and, if necessary, a second time in the winery. After gentle pressing, the must is left to settle by gravity for 12 hours. Fermentation takes place in barrels (50% new), as does the 18-month ageing, with occasional lees stirring. One third of the barrels are larger (400 litres) than the traditional 228-litre Burgundian pièce, allowing the oak to integrate optimally.
The use of medium-fine-grain barrels lends tension to the wine without imparting toasty notes that might detract from the clarity of its expression.

Before bottling, a final stage of ageing takes place in vat for 3 months to harmonise the whole. The estate's vat room operates by natural gravity over four levels, from the arrival of the grapes to bottling, with no pumping whatsoever.

Blend

Chassagne-Montrachet Premier Cru les Chaumées 2018 from Domaine du Cellier aux Moines showcases the full singularity of Chardonnay on this extraordinary Burgundian terroir.

Tasting

Chassagne-Montrachet Premier Cru les Chaumées 2018 from Domaine du Cellier aux Moines is made from small, deeply coloured berries harvested at full ripeness, with a perfect balance between sweetness and acidity.
Remarkably refined, the bouquet reveals subtle floral fragrances. The pure palate charms with its precision, vibrancy and persistence.