Domaine Benoît Ente : Chassagne-Montrachet Village "Les Houillères" 2023

Characteristics and Tasting Notes for the 2023 Chassagne-Montrachet Village "Les Houillères" from Domaine Benoît Ente

Tasting

Appearance
The colour reveals a bright yellow hue, enhanced by golden highlights.

Nose
The nose reveals aromas of ripe yellow and white fruits, such as peach and pear, mingled with notes of lime blossom and citrus. Subtle touches of fresh, toasted bread and hazelnut, along with a flinty minerality, complete this bouquet.

Palate
On the palate, this white wine stands out for its fleshy texture and lively character. Its crisp acidity balances beautifully with fine bitter notes of citrus zest, leading to a persistent finish marked by lovely salinity and a stony minerality.

Food and wine pairing

This wine pairs perfectly with shellfish such as grilled lobster or scallops, as well as with white meats and poultry served with a creamy mushroom sauce. It also goes very well with roasted vegetables or soft and pressed cooked cheeses.

Serving and cellaring

For an optimal tasting experience, this wine should be served at a temperature between 11 and 13°C, decanted for 30 to 60 minutes while young. It can be enjoyed now, but will continue to evolve in the cellar until around 2035.

The tension and aromatic purity of a Chassagne-Montrachet white wine

The estate

The family's winegrowing history began in the late 1940s, but the Domaine Benoît Ente was established as an independent producer in 1997. Located in Puligny-Montrachet, in the heart of Burgundy in France, this 6-hectare estate is now run by its owner, Benoît Ente. Renowned for its artisanal approach and organic viticulture, the estate stands out for its micro-production wines. The winemaker pursues a genuine obsession with tension and terroir transparency, placing his wines among the region's benchmarks.

The vineyard

The half-hectare plot that gives rise to this wine is located on the Les Houillères climat, in Chassagne-Montrachet, right on the border with Puligny. The vines are rooted in light soils made up of fine clay and limestone gravel shaped by ancient springs. This demanding approach encourages competition between the vines, naturally limiting yields to produce small, highly concentrated berries.

Winemaking and ageing

The estate's philosophy is to preserve the purity of the fruit. As such, winemaking and ageing are carried out traditionally in oak barrels for around 18 months. This meticulous process adds complexity while preserving the freshness and precision characteristic of the cuvée.

Grape variety

Chardonnay (100%)