La Chablisienne : Chablis 1er cru "Montmains" 2020

Tasting characteristics and advice for La Chablisienne’s Chablis 1er Cru “Montmains” 2020

Tasting

Color

The color displays a pale yellow hue with silvery highlights.

Nose

The nose opens with expressive aromas of stone fruits, notably ripe peaches and apricots. With aeration, herbaceous notes of fresh-cut grass emerge, alongside floral nuances of white blossoms and a distinctive minerality.

Palate

The palate is luscious and generous, while retaining a lively freshness. The mineral, saline structure brings tension and defines the wine’s character. The finish lingers with beautiful aromatic persistence, combining fruit and minerality.

Food and wine pairings

This Chablis 1er Cru “Montmains” 2020 pairs perfectly with seafood and shellfish, notably oysters and mussels. It also matches beautifully with white-fleshed fish in a creamy sauce, delicate poultry, or aged soft-ripened cheeses. Burgundian specialties such as gougères also make a harmonious pairing.

Serving and cellaring

This Chablis 1er Cru “Montmains” 2020 is best enjoyed at a temperature between 11 and 13°C. Light aeration for about thirty minutes before serving allows the wine to fully reveal its aromatic complexity. This wine can be enjoyed until around 2033.

A broad, richly textured Chablis Premier Cru

The estate

Founded on May 1, 1923, La Chablisienne is a renowned cooperative winery that today brings together around 300 winegrowers. Located in the heart of Burgundy, in the Chablis area, it oversees nearly a quarter of the vineyards of the appellation, with around 1,200 hectares of vines. Under the leadership of Damien Leclerc, the cooperative stands out for its unique must-receiving system, introduced as early as the 1950s, enabling it to fully control vinification. La Chablisienne produces wines that faithfully express the diversity of Chablis terroirs, from Petit Chablis to Grands Crus.

The vineyard

The Chablis 1er Cru “Montmains” comes from a renowned Climat located on the left bank of the Serein. The vines, around twenty-five years old, are planted on southeast-facing slopes. The soils are made up of Kimmeridgian marls covered with shallow clays, sometimes tinged brown or red. This distinctive geological composition, rich in limestone and marine fossils, gives the wine its hallmark minerality and aromatic intensity.

The vintage

The 2020 vintage stands out for its early ripening and classic balance. After a mild, wet winter, spring saw a few frost episodes with no major impact. Summer proved hot and dry, encouraging a concentration of aromas in the grapes. Harvest began as early as August 24, but cool morning and evening temperatures helped preserve the wines’ freshness. The 2020 vintage therefore offers sun-kissed wines while maintaining a classic character.

Vinification and aging

The grapes are hand-harvested and then gently pressed. The Chablis 1er Cru “Montmains” 2020 is vinified using a combination of stainless-steel tanks and oak barrels, with a moderate proportion of new oak to preserve the purity of the fruit. After cold static settling, fermentation takes place under temperature control. The wine is then aged on fine lees for twelve to eighteen months, with regular bâtonnage to develop complexity and texture.

Grape variety

100% Chardonnay